This list includes 94 Slang words that start with B, from “B&E” to “Buzzy”. These entries range from street terms and regional nicknames to playful internet coinages used worldwide. Use this list to find quick meanings, examples, and regional notes for writing, editing, or casual learning.
Slang words that start with B are informal terms that speakers use to express identity, humor, or attitude. Many trace to youth culture and regional speech, while some, like “Buzzy”, spread quickly online.
Below you’ll find the table with Word, Meaning, Region, Register, Example, and Source.
Word: The slang term itself, shown for quick scanning so you can spot entries you want to study.
Meaning: A concise definition that explains the term’s common sense and typical usage in one simple sentence.
Region: Notes where the term is commonly used, helping you judge its local or global relevance for your audience.
Register: A short label (informal, pejorative, etc.) that tells you how and when it’s appropriate to use the term.
Example: A brief sentence showing the term in natural context, so you can copy its tone and construction.
Source: A short note on origin or first noted use, useful when you need historical or citation context for the word.
Slang words that start with B
| Slang | Meaning | Part of speech | Region/Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Babe | An attractive person; a term of endearment for a partner. | noun | global; informal |
| Bae | Before Anyone Else; a significant other or crush. | noun | global; informal; contemporary |
| Baddie | An attractive, confident, and independent woman. | noun | US; informal; contemporary |
| Bagsy | To claim something for oneself, often by saying the word first. | verb | UK; informal |
| Baller | A person who is very skilled, successful, and lives lavishly. | noun | US; informal |
| Banger | An excellent, high-energy song. | noun | global; informal; contemporary |
| Banter | Playful, witty, and teasing conversation. | noun | UK; global; informal |
| Barmy | Crazy, mad, or eccentric. | adjective | UK; informal |
| Barney | A loud argument or fight. | noun | UK; AUS; informal |
| Based | Authentic, unashamedly oneself, and not caring about others’ opinions. | adjective | US; informal; internet slang |
| Basic | Unoriginal, mainstream, and uninteresting in taste. | adjective | US; global; informal; pejorative |
| Bash | A lively party or celebration. | noun | global; informal |
| Beast mode | A state of extreme performance, power, and intensity. | phrase | US; global; informal |
| Beat | Exhausted or very tired. | adjective | US; informal |
| Beef | A grudge, dispute, or conflict between people. | noun | global; informal |
| Belt up | Be quiet; shut up. | phrase | UK; informal |
| Bender | A prolonged period of heavy drinking or drug use. | noun | global; informal |
| Bent | Dishonest, corrupt, or illegal. | adjective | UK; informal |
| Bevvy | An alcoholic beverage, especially beer. | noun | UK; informal |
| BFF | Best Friends Forever. | noun | global; informal |
| Big Mad | Extremely angry or upset. | adjective phrase | US; informal; contemporary |
| Bilk | To cheat or defraud someone of money. | verb | global; informal |
| Bimbo | An attractive but unintelligent or vapid woman. | noun | global; informal; pejorative |
| Binge-watch | To watch many episodes of a TV series in rapid succession. | verb | global; informal |
| Bint | A derogatory term for a girl or woman. | noun | UK; pejorative |
| Bits and bobs | Various small, miscellaneous items; odds and ends. | phrase | UK; informal |
| Blag | To obtain something through persuasion, charm, or deception. | verb | UK; informal |
| Blimey | An exclamation of surprise. | interjection | UK; informal; dated |
| Blinder | An outstanding or excellent performance. | noun | UK; AUS; informal |
| Bling | Expensive, flashy jewelry and accessories. | noun | global; informal |
| Bloke | A man; a regular guy. | noun | UK; AUS; NZ; informal |
| Blotto | Extremely drunk. | adjective | global; informal; dated |
| Blow | To waste money recklessly; or to leave a place. | verb | global; informal |
| Bob’s your uncle | And there you have it; it’s as simple as that. | phrase | UK; informal |
| Bod | The human body. | noun | global; informal |
| Bodega | A small, local convenience store or grocery. | noun | US; regional (esp. NYC) |
| Bodacious | Excellent, admirable, or attractive. | adjective | US; informal; dated |
| Bog | A toilet. | noun | UK; AUS; informal |
| Bog-standard | Completely ordinary, basic, and without special features. | adjective | UK; informal |
| Bogus | Not genuine; fake or counterfeit. | adjective | US; global; informal |
| Bollocks | Nonsense; testicles. | noun; interjection | UK; vulgar |
| Bomb | To fail badly; or, (as ‘the bomb’) to be excellent. | verb; noun | global; informal |
| Bonce | A person’s head. | noun | UK; informal |
| Bonkers | Completely crazy or mad. | adjective | UK; global; informal |
| Boo | A term of endearment for a significant other. | noun | US; global; informal |
| Boob tube | The television. | noun | US; UK; informal; dated |
| Boondocks | A remote, rural, or undeveloped area. | noun | US; informal |
| Boost | To steal, especially by shoplifting. | verb | US; informal |
| Booze | Alcoholic drinks. | noun | global; informal |
| Booze cruise | A trip taken with the main purpose of drinking or buying cheap alcohol. | noun | global; informal |
| Bop | A really good song, typically one that is easy to dance to. | noun | US; global; informal; contemporary |
| Boss | Excellent, first-rate, or cool. | adjective | US; informal; dated |
| Bottle | Courage or nerve. | noun | UK; informal |
| Boujee / Bougie | Aspiring to or affecting a wealthy, upper-class lifestyle. | adjective | global; informal; pejorative |
| Bounce | To leave a place, often suddenly. | verb | US; informal |
| Brassed off | Annoyed, fed up, or disappointed. | adjective | UK; informal |
| Bread | Money. | noun | US; global; informal; dated |
| Break a leg | Good luck. | phrase | global; informal |
| Brekkie | Breakfast. | noun | AUS; UK; informal |
| Brick | Extremely cold. | adjective | US (esp. Northeast); informal |
| Bricking it | To be extremely scared or nervous. | phrase | UK; informal |
| Brill | Brilliant; excellent. | adjective | UK; informal |
| Bro | A male friend; a form of address for a man. | noun | global; informal |
| Broke | Having no money. | adjective | global; informal |
| Brolly | An umbrella. | noun | UK; AUS; NZ; informal |
| Bruh | An exclamation of disbelief, annoyance, or camaraderie. | interjection | US; global; informal; contemporary |
| BS | Bullshit; nonsense or lies. | noun; interjection | global; informal |
| Bubbly | Champagne or sparkling wine. | noun | global; informal |
| Buck | A dollar. | noun | US; CAN; AUS; informal |
| Bud | A casual, friendly term of address for a man or boy. | noun | US; CAN; informal |
| Buff | Physically fit and muscular. | adjective | global; informal |
| Bug out | To leave quickly; to freak out or panic. | verb | US; informal |
| Bugger | An exclamation of annoyance; a person; a difficult thing. | interjection; noun | UK; AUS; NZ; vulgar |
| Bull | Nonsense; short for bullshit. | noun | global; informal |
| Bum | To get something by asking for free; a homeless person. | verb; noun | global; informal |
| Bummed | Disappointed, sad, or annoyed. | adjective | US; global; informal |
| Bummer | A disappointing or unpleasant situation. | noun | US; global; informal |
| Bung | To throw or place something carelessly; a bribe. | verb; noun | UK; informal |
| Bunk | Nonsense; to skip school or work. | noun; verb | global; informal |
| Burn | A sharp, witty, and effective insult. | noun | US; global; informal |
| Busted | Caught doing something wrong; or, very unattractive. | adjective | global; informal |
| Bussin’ | Excellent, amazing, especially regarding food. | adjective | US; informal; contemporary |
| Butt-dial | To accidentally call someone from your mobile phone in your back pocket. | verb | global; informal |
| Buzzy | Creating a lot of excitement, hype, or interest. | adjective | global; informal |
| B&E | Breaking and Entering. | noun | global; informal |
| Bozo | A stupid, foolish, or insignificant person. | noun | US; informal; dated |
| Booty call | A communication to arrange a casual sexual encounter. | noun | global; informal |
| Boffin | A scientist, engineer, or technical expert. | noun | UK; informal |
| Bupkis | Absolutely nothing; zilch. | noun | US; informal |
| Burbs | The suburbs. | noun | US; AUS; CAN; informal |
| Buy the farm | To die, especially in an accident or in combat. | phrase | US; informal |
| Buttinsky | A person who habitually meddles or interferes in others’ affairs. | noun | US; informal; dated |
| Bullpen | The area where relief pitchers warm up; a group of people on standby. | noun | US; informal |
| Brass neck | Extreme audacity or impudence. | noun | UK; informal |
Descriptions
Babe
A common, affectionate term for a significant other or someone you find attractive. “Hey babe, what time is the movie?” (OED)
Bae
Popularized in the 2010s through social media and AAVE. Often used similarly to ‘babe’. “I’m going out with my bae tonight.” (Internet slang)
Baddie
Often used on social media to describe a woman who is fashion-forward and self-assured. It carries a positive, empowered connotation. (AAVE origin)
Bagsy
A classic piece of British children’s slang that persists into adulthood. “Bagsy the front seat!”
Baller
Originating from sports, especially basketball, it now applies to anyone who has “made it” and isn’t afraid to show it. “He’s a real baller with that new car.”
Banger
Primarily used in music contexts to describe a track that is exciting and popular. “The DJ played nothing but bangers all night.”
Banter
Often shortened to ‘bants’, it’s a key part of social interaction in the UK, involving friendly mockery and quick comebacks.
Barmy
A common British way to describe someone or something as foolish or insane. “You’d have to be barmy to swim in that cold water.” (Cockney origin)
Barney
Often used to describe a noisy disagreement. “The neighbors were having a right old barney last night.” (Possibly from Barney Rubble, rhyming slang for ‘trouble’)
Based
Popularized by rapper Lil B, it originally meant acting like a ‘basehead’ but evolved to mean being true to yourself, sometimes with controversial views.
Basic
Used to describe someone who likes predictable, popular things, like pumpkin spice lattes. “Her Instagram is so basic.” (Popularized in the 2010s)
Bash
A simple, common term for a fun social gathering. “Are you coming to my birthday bash on Saturday?”
Beast mode
Popularized by NFL player Marshawn Lynch, it means going all-out to achieve a goal. “He went into beast mode to finish the marathon.”
Beat
A common way to say you’re physically or mentally worn out. “I’m totally beat after that long week at work.”
Beef
Often used in hip-hop culture to describe a feud between artists, but now used more broadly. “They’ve had beef for years.”
Belt up
A direct and informal command to stop talking. It can be considered rude depending on the tone. “Just belt up, you’re being too loud!”
Bender
Refers to a multi-day spree of indulgence. “He went on a three-day bender after his exams.”
Bent
Often used to describe a corrupt police officer (‘bent copper’) or a stolen item. “He sold me a bent watch.”
Bevvy
A casual term for a drink. “Fancy a few bevvies after work?” (Abbreviation of ‘beverage’)
BFF
An initialism for a very close friend, popularized in the early 2000s through text messaging and social media.
Big Mad
An intensified version of “mad,” often used humorously on social media to describe an over-the-top angry reaction. (AAVE origin)
Bilk
A slightly old-fashioned but still understood word for swindling someone. “The con artist bilked them out of their life savings.”
Bimbo
Historically used negatively, the term is being reclaimed by some online as a positive aesthetic (‘Bimbocore’), but its original meaning is still prevalent.
Binge-watch
A modern term born from streaming services like Netflix. “I’m going to binge-watch the entire new season this weekend.”
Bint
Considered offensive and dated, derived from the Arabic word for ‘daughter’. It should be used with extreme caution, if at all.
Bits and bobs
A colloquial way to refer to a collection of different things. “I just need to pick up a few bits and bobs from the shop.”
Blag
Implies getting something for free or by bluffing your way in. “I managed to blag my way backstage.”
Blimey
A classic British expression, a corruption of “God blind me.” “Blimey, look at the size of that!”
Blinder
Often used in sports to describe a brilliant game. “The goalkeeper played a blinder and saved every shot.”
Bling
Popularized in the late 1990s by hip-hop artists, referring to the ‘bling’ sound of light reflecting off diamonds.
Bloke
The quintessential informal term for a man in Britain and Oceania. “He’s just an ordinary bloke.”
Blotto
A somewhat dated but comical way to describe being heavily intoxicated. “He was completely blotto by the end of the night.”
Blow
Can mean spending a lot of money (“I’m going to blow my whole paycheck”) or leaving suddenly (“Let’s blow this popsicle stand”).
Bob’s your uncle
A phrase used to conclude a set of simple instructions, emphasizing their ease. “Just add water, stir, and Bob’s your uncle!”
Bod
A clipped, informal shortening of ‘body’, often used when referring to physical fitness (e.g., ‘beach bod’).
Bodega
From Spanish for ‘storeroom’, this term is iconic in New York City for a neighborhood corner shop that sells a little bit of everything.
Bodacious
Strongly associated with 1980s and 90s surfer and skater culture, famously used in the movie “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.”
Bog
A common, slightly crude term for a toilet. “Can you tell me where the bog is?”
Bog-standard
Used to describe something that is unremarkably average. “It’s not a fancy car, just a bog-standard model.”
Bogus
Popularized in the 1980s, it’s used to describe something that is false or a sham. “He tried to pay with a bogus twenty-dollar bill.”
Bollocks
A very versatile British curse word. Used to denote rubbish (“That’s bollocks!”), or as an exclamation. ‘The dog’s bollocks’ means ‘the best’.
Bomb
Context is key: “The movie bombed at the box office” (it failed). “That new album is the bomb!” (it’s great).
Bonce
A lighthearted, informal word for a head. “Watch you don’t bang your bonce on the low ceiling.”
Bonkers
A playful way to describe irrational or wild behavior. “You must be bonkers to go out in this storm.”
Boo
Similar to ‘babe’ or ‘bae’, it’s a common affectionate name for a boyfriend or girlfriend. (Possibly from French ‘beau’)
Boob tube
A slang term for a TV set, more common in the latter half of the 20th century before flat screens became the norm.
Boondocks
Often used to describe a place that is far from the city and culturally isolated. “He lives way out in the boondocks.”
Boost
A common slang term for theft. “She got caught trying to boost a lipstick from the store.”
Booze
One of the most common and universally understood slang terms for alcohol. “We need to buy some booze for the party.”
Booze cruise
Can refer to a boat party or a trip across a border (e.g., UK to France) to purchase untaxed alcohol.
Bop
A modern term for a catchy, enjoyable track. “This song is a total bop!”
Boss
While it can mean a person in charge, the slang use means ‘great’. Popular in the 80s and 90s, it’s seeing a minor revival. “Those are some boss new sneakers.”
Bottle
Refers to bravery and confidence. Someone who “loses their bottle” has lost their nerve. (From Cockney rhyming slang ‘bottle and glass’ = ‘class’ or ‘arse’)
Boujee / Bougie
Derived from ‘bourgeois’. Used to describe behavior or tastes that are seen as pretentiously fancy or high-class. Popularized by the Migos song “Bad and Boujee”.
Bounce
A casual way to announce your departure. “Alright everyone, it’s getting late, I’m gonna bounce.”
Brassed off
A common British expression for being displeased with a situation. “I’m proper brassed off that the train was cancelled.” (Military origin)
Bread
A classic slang term for money, originating in the mid-20th century. “I need to earn some bread to pay my rent.”
Break a leg
A theatrical superstition, said to actors before they go on stage. It’s now used more widely as an idiomatic way to wish someone good luck.
Brekkie
A common, affectionate abbreviation for the first meal of the day in Australia and the UK.
Brick
Used to describe freezing weather. “It’s brick outside, you’ll need a proper coat.”
Bricking it
Describes a state of intense fear. “I was bricking it before my final exam.”
Brill
A clipped, enthusiastic abbreviation of ‘brilliant’, popular in the 1980s and still in use. “That’s a brill idea!”
Bro
Short for ‘brother’, now used universally to refer to a friend or as a casual greeting. Also associated with ‘bro culture’ (frat boys, etc.).
Broke
While a standard word, its use to mean completely out of funds is a very common informal state. “I can’t come out, I’m completely broke until payday.”
Brolly
A quintessential British and Oceanic abbreviation for an umbrella. “Looks like rain, better grab your brolly.”
Bruh
Evolved from ‘bro’, it’s often used as a one-word reaction to something surprising or frustrating. A ‘bruh moment’ is an awkward or dumb event. (AAVE origin)
BS
A common, milder initialism for ‘bullshit’, used to dismiss something as untrue or foolish. “Don’t give me that BS.”
Bubbly
A celebratory and informal term for sparkling alcoholic drinks. “Let’s pop open some bubbly to celebrate!”
Buck
The most common slang term for the base unit of currency in several countries. “Can I borrow twenty bucks?”
Bud
Similar to ‘pal’ or ‘mate’, it’s a common, informal way to address someone. “Hey bud, how’s it going?”
Buff
Used to describe someone with a well-defined, toned physique. “He’s been going to the gym and is looking really buff.”
Bug out
Has two common meanings: a sudden departure (“They bugged out when the cops arrived”) or a panicked reaction (“He started to bug out during the turbulence”).
Bugger
A highly versatile word. “Oh, bugger!” (annoyance). “The poor bugger.” (pity). “It’s a bugger of a problem.” (difficult).
Bull
A shortened, slightly less profane version of ‘bullshit’. “That’s a load of bull.”
Bum
As a verb, it means to cadge (“Can I bum a cigarette?”). As a noun, it can be a pejorative term for a vagrant, or, in the UK, one’s buttocks.
Bummed
Describes a feeling of being let down or dejected. “I was so bummed that the concert was cancelled.”
Bummer
Used to describe an unfortunate event or piece of news. “It’s a real bummer that it’s raining on our beach day.”
Bung
Can mean to toss (“Just bung it in the bin”) or, in a different context, a secret, corrupt payment, especially in football.
Bunk
As a noun, it means rubbish (“That’s bunk!”). As a verb, it means to play truant (“He decided to bunk off school”).
Burn
Refers to a comeback or put-down that is particularly clever and insulting. Often followed by an exclamation of “Ooh, burn!”
Busted
Has two main meanings: being apprehended (“He got busted for speeding”) or being physically unattractive (“That haircut is busted”).
Bussin’
A term from AAVE that gained mainstream popularity via social media (especially TikTok). “This pizza is absolutely bussin’.”
Butt-dial
A modern slang term created by the ubiquity of mobile phones. Also known as a ‘pocket-dial’.
Buzzy
Used to describe something that is generating a lot of talk and attention. “There’s a buzzy new restaurant that just opened downtown.”
B&E
A common police and criminal slang initialism for the crime of burglary. “He’s doing time for a B&E.”
Bozo
Popularized by Bozo the Clown, the term became a common, lighthearted insult for someone acting like a fool.
Booty call
A direct and informal term for contacting someone solely for the purpose of sex, without romantic intentions.
Boffin
A term for someone engaged in technical or scientific work, often seen as clever but perhaps lacking social graces. Common during WWII.
Bupkis
From Yiddish, it means a completely worthless amount. “I worked all day and got paid bupkis for my effort.”
Burbs
A common clipping of ‘suburbs’, the residential areas outside of a city center. “Life in the burbs is too quiet for me.”
Buy the farm
An idiomatic expression for dying, thought to have originated with military pilots crashing on farmland.
Buttinsky
A classic Americanism for a nosy person who “butts in” where they are not wanted.
Bullpen
Originally from baseball, it’s now used in office settings for a large open-plan work area or a pool of available staff.
Brass neck
Describes the quality of being shameless or brazen. “He had the brass neck to ask for a raise after being caught sleeping at his desk.”