This list includes 59 Slang words that start with N, from “N-word” to “nutter”. It covers playful nicknames, regional terms, and historically charged slurs, useful for writers, learners, and editors.
Slang words that start with N are informal terms beginning with the letter N, shaped by region, age, and subculture. Some entries are lighthearted, while others—like the “N-word”—carry deep historical and social weight.
Below you’ll find the table with Word, Meaning, Region, Register, Example, and Date/Source.
Word: The slang term itself, where you can find exact spelling, punctuation, and common variants for quick lookup.
Meaning: Concise definition capturing common usage and sense, so you understand how people use the term in context.
Region: Geographical or cultural origin notes, so you know whether a term is local, national, or widely used across English varieties.
Register: Labels such as informal, pejorative, or archaic that help you judge whether to use or avoid the term.
Example: One brief sentence showing the term in natural speech, so you see typical grammar and tone.
Date/Source: Year or source note indicating when or where the usage was recorded, helping you assess recency and relevance.
Slang words that start with N
| Slang | Meaning | Part of speech | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| N-word | A euphemism for a deeply offensive racial slur. | noun | International; euphemistic, refers to taboo term |
| naff | Uncool, tacky, or in poor taste. | adjective | UK; informal, derogatory |
| nah | An informal, casual way of saying “no”. | interjection | Widespread; informal |
| nang | Excellent, very good, or cool. | adjective | UK (London, MLE); youth slang |
| nark | A police informer or spy; or to annoy someone. | noun, verb | UK, Australia; informal, derogatory |
| narp | A definitive, emphatic “no”. | interjection | US; college slang |
| natter | To talk casually and at length about unimportant matters. | verb | UK; informal |
| natty | Stylishly smart and well-dressed. | adjective | Widespread; informal |
| neck | To kiss someone passionately; or to drink something quickly. | verb | UK, Ireland; informal |
| neck of the woods | A person’s local area or neighborhood. | phrase | Widespread; informal, idiomatic |
| nekkid | A non-standard, phonetic spelling of “naked”. | adjective | US (esp. South); informal, humorous |
| nerd | An intelligent but socially awkward person, often with obsessive interests. | noun | Widespread; informal, can be pejorative or affectionate |
| nesh | Unusually susceptible to feeling cold. | adjective | UK (esp. Midlands, North); regional, informal |
| never-never | A system of buying goods on credit or hire-purchase. | noun | UK, Australia; informal, dated |
| nick | To steal; or to arrest. | verb | UK, Australia; informal |
| niff | An unpleasant smell or stink. | noun | UK; informal |
| nifty | Particularly good, skillful, or clever. | adjective | Widespread; informal, slightly dated |
| nightcap | An alcoholic drink taken just before going to bed. | noun | Widespread; informal |
| nimrod | An idiot or a foolish person. | noun | US; informal, pejorative |
| nincompoop | A foolish or stupid person. | noun | Widespread; informal, archaic, humorous |
| nineteen to the dozen | Talking very quickly and excitedly. | phrase | UK, Australia; informal, idiomatic |
| nip | A small drink of strong alcohol. | noun | Widespread; informal |
| nipper | A young child. | noun | UK, Australia; informal, affectionate |
| nippy | Chilly or cold (referring to weather). | adjective | UK, Ireland; informal |
| nitwit | A silly or foolish person. | noun | Widespread; informal, pejorative |
| nix | Nothing; or to forbid, cancel, or refuse something. | noun, verb | Widespread; informal |
| no-brainer | A decision or question that is extremely easy or obvious. | noun | Widespread; informal |
| no-can-do | A statement of refusal or inability to do something. | phrase | Widespread; informal |
| no-hoper | A person or thing with no chance of success. | noun | Widespread; informal, pejorative |
| noggin | A person’s head. | noun | Widespread; informal, humorous |
| nogoodnik | A worthless, unreliable, or mischievous person. | noun | Widespread; informal, humorous |
| nookie | Sexual activity or intercourse. | noun | Widespread; informal, euphemistic |
| noob | An inexperienced newcomer, especially in online gaming or tech. | noun | International; internet slang |
| noodle | A person’s head. | noun | Widespread; informal, humorous |
| nope | An informal, emphatic way of saying “no”. | interjection | Widespread; informal |
| nosh | Food; or the act of eating. | noun, verb | Widespread; informal |
| nose candy | Cocaine. | noun | US, widespread; informal, drug slang |
| nosebleed section | The highest, furthest, and cheapest seats in a venue. | noun | Widespread; informal, humorous |
| Nosey Parker | An overly inquisitive or prying person. | noun | UK; informal, pejorative |
| not a happy camper | Someone who is unhappy or discontented with a situation. | phrase | US, widespread; informal |
| not all that | Not very good or impressive; mediocre. | phrase | Widespread; informal |
| not cricket | Unfair or unsportsmanlike behavior. | phrase | UK, Australia; informal, idiomatic |
| not half | Very much so; an emphatic “yes”. | phrase | UK; informal, emphatic |
| not my cup of tea | Not something one likes or is interested in. | phrase | UK, widespread; informal, idiomatic |
| not on | Unacceptable or inappropriate behavior. | phrase | UK, Australia; informal |
| not the sharpest tool in the shed | Not very intelligent. | phrase | Widespread; informal, euphemistic |
| nothingburger | An event or issue that is disappointingly insignificant. | noun | US; informal, political slang |
| noughties | The decade from 2000 to 2009. | noun | UK, widespread; informal |
| nowt | Nothing. | noun | Northern England; regional dialect/slang |
| nudge-nudge, wink-wink | A phrase suggesting a hidden or risqué meaning. | phrase | Widespread; informal, humorous |
| nuddy (in the) | Naked. | phrase | UK, Australia; informal, humorous |
| nuke | To cook or heat something in a microwave oven. | verb | Widespread; informal, humorous |
| numero uno | Number one; the best or most important. | noun, adjective | Widespread; informal |
| numpty | A foolish or incompetent person. | noun | Scotland, Northern England; informal, derogatory |
| nut | A crazy or eccentric person; or to headbutt someone. | noun, verb | Widespread; informal |
| nut up | To summon courage and be tough; to “man up”. | verb | US; informal |
| nutter | A crazy, mad, or eccentric person. | noun | UK; informal, derogatory |
| nuts | Crazy, insane. | adjective | Widespread; informal |
| nuts and bolts | The basic, practical details of a subject or task. | noun | Widespread; informal, idiomatic |
Descriptions
N-word
Used to refer to a specific racial slur without saying the word itself. Its use is highly sensitive and context-dependent.
naff
A very common British term to dismiss something as unfashionable or worthless. “That plastic Christmas tree is a bit naff.”
nah
A relaxed, conversational negative response. “Nah, I don’t feel like going out tonight.”
nang
Popular in Multicultural London English (MLE), used to describe something as high quality. “That new track is nang.”
nark
As a noun, it’s a “grass.” As a verb, it means to irritate. “He’s a known police nark.” / “Stop narking me!”
narp
A variant of “nope,” often used for humorous or firm effect among younger speakers.
natter
A friendly term for a long, idle chat. “We spent the afternoon nattering over a cup of tea.”
natty
Often used to describe someone’s sharp clothing. “He was wearing a natty bow tie.”
neck
Can refer to “making out” or chugging a drink. “They were necking in the back of the cinema.” / “He necked his pint in one go.”
neck of the woods
A folksy way to refer to a particular region or district. “I haven’t seen you in my neck of the woods for a while.”
nekkid
Used for humorous or rustic effect to mean completely undressed. “The baby was running around buck nekkid.”
nerd
Originally an insult, the term has been reclaimed by many and can now imply expertise. “She’s a total computer nerd.”
nesh
A specific word for someone who feels the cold more than others. “Put a jumper on, you nesh thing!”
never-never
Refers to paying in installments, as if you’ll “never” finish paying. “She bought her sofa on the never-never.”
nick
A very common slang term for both theft and being apprehended by police. “Someone nicked my bike!” / “The cops nicked him for speeding.”
niff
A simple, common word for a bad odor. “What’s that awful niff in here?”
nifty
Expresses approval for something neat or ingenious. “That’s a nifty little gadget for opening jars.”
nightcap
A final drink to end the evening. “I’ll have a small brandy for a nightcap.”
nimrod
Popularized by Bugs Bunny sarcastically calling Elmer Fudd “nimrod” (a great hunter in the Bible), the meaning inverted to “idiot”.
nincompoop
An old-fashioned but still-used insult for someone being silly. “You’ve put your shoes on the wrong feet, you nincompoop.”
nineteen to the dozen
Describes someone chattering away without a pause. “She was going nineteen to the dozen about her holiday.”
nip
Refers to a small measure, or sip, of a spirit like whiskey. “He took a nip from his flask.”
nipper
A colloquial and often fond term for a small child. “The little nipper is only five years old.”
nippy
A common way to describe a crisp, cold day. “It’s a bit nippy out this morning, better wear a coat.”
nitwit
A common, mild insult for someone perceived as unintelligent or not thinking clearly.
nix
From the German “nichts” (nothing). “We got paid nix for our work.” / “The boss nixed my vacation plans.”
no-brainer
Used when the correct choice is immediately clear. “Accepting that job offer was a complete no-brainer.”
no-can-do
A straightforward, informal way to say something is not possible. “Sorry, I need the car tomorrow, so no-can-do.”
no-hoper
Used to describe someone considered to be incompetent or destined to fail. “Everyone thinks their team is a no-hoper this season.”
noggin
A colloquial, often lighthearted term for the head. “Use your noggin and think about it!”
nogoodnik
From Yiddish, used to describe a scoundrel or rascal in a slightly old-fashioned way.
nookie
A casual and slightly juvenile-sounding slang term for sex.
noob
Derived from “newbie,” often used to mock someone’s lack of skill. “I just started playing, so I’m a total noob.”
noodle
Another playful term for the head, similar to “noggin”. “Use your noodle to solve the puzzle.”
nope
A common, definite negative response, often seen as a fuller stop than “no”. “Are you coming? Nope.”
nosh
From Yiddish, it means to eat or to have a snack. “Let’s get some nosh.” / “He was noshing on a bag of crisps.”
nose candy
A slang term for the powdered drug, referring to its method of ingestion.
nosebleed section
Refers to seats so high up they might humorously cause a nosebleed. “Our tickets were cheap, but we were in the nosebleed section.”
Nosey Parker
A classic British term for someone who meddles in other people’s business. “Don’t be such a Nosey Parker.”
not a happy camper
A colloquial way to describe being displeased or annoyed. “My flight was cancelled, so I am not a happy camper.”
not all that
A gentle or understated way of expressing disappointment. “I saw the film, but it wasn’t all that.”
not cricket
Derived from the gentlemanly sport of cricket, this phrase means something isn’t fair or honorable. “Reading his private letters is just not cricket.”
not half
Used as an intensifier to express strong agreement. “Was it cold? Not half!”
not my cup of tea
A polite and common way to state a personal preference or dislike. “Thanks for inviting me, but horror movies aren’t my cup of tea.”
not on
A firm expression of disapproval. “Talking on your phone during the movie is just not on.”
not the sharpest tool in the shed
A folksy, humorous insult for someone lacking intelligence. “He’s a nice guy, but not the sharpest tool in the shed.”
nothingburger
Originating in American politics to describe a hyped-up situation that amounts to nothing. “The big announcement turned out to be a nothingburger.”
noughties
The common term in Britain and elsewhere for the first decade of the 21st century.
nowt
A distinctive regional pronunciation and word for “naught” or “nothing”. “I’ve got nowt to do today.”
nudge-nudge, wink-wink
Popularized by a Monty Python sketch, it’s used to draw attention to an innuendo. “He’s ‘working late’ again, nudge-nudge, wink-wink.”
nuddy (in the)
A playful or childish way of saying someone is nude. “The kids were running around in the nuddy.”
nuke
Compares the power of a microwave to a nuclear blast. “I’m too tired to cook, I’ll just nuke some leftovers.”
numero uno
From Spanish, used colloquially in English to mean “the top” or “the best”. “When it comes to pizza, this place is numero uno.”
numpty
A common and somewhat affectionate insult in Scottish and Northern English slang. “You’ve missed the turn, you numpty!”
nut
As a noun, it means an insane person. As a verb (UK/Aus), it means to hit with the head. “That guy is a complete nut.” / “He threatened to nut him.”
nut up
A command to stop being timid and to face a challenge bravely. “You need to nut up and ask for that raise.”
nutter
A common British term for someone who is considered insane or acts bizarrely. “He was shouting at pigeons, a real nutter.”
nuts
A very common slang adjective for “mad”. “You must be nuts to go swimming in this weather.”
nuts and bolts
Refers to the essential, fundamental components of something. “Let’s get down to the nuts and bolts of the plan.”