This list includes 56 Slang words that start with W, from “wack” to “wuss”. It covers common, regional, and internet-driven terms used in casual speech, social media, and creative writing.

Slang words that start with W are informal or nonstandard expressions used in casual speech and online communication. Many spread rapidly through music, memes, and social media, shaping everyday language.

Below you’ll find the table with Word, Meaning, Region, Register, Example, and Source.

Word: The slang term as used, shown in quotes when helpful, so you can scan and spot entries quickly.

Meaning: A concise one-sentence definition giving the core sense so you can understand and use the term correctly.

Region: Notes where the slang is common or originated, helping you judge local usage and cultural context.

Register: Labels tone and social setting, such as informal, pejorative, or playful, so you know when to use it.

Example: A short sentence showing everyday use so you can see natural phrasing and adapt it in your writing.

Source: A brief citation or note about origin or date, which helps you assess recency and cultural resonance.

Slang words that start with W

Word Part of speech Meaning Region/Register Description
wad noun Bundle of cash or paper money US informal Common slang for a bunch of bills; often “a wad of cash.” Example: “He pulled a wad from his pocket.”
wack adj. Lame, bad, uncool US informal, pejorative Urban slang for poor quality or tastelessness; frequent in hip-hop speech. Example: “That album is wack.”
whack verb To kill or violently attack (slang) US informal, criminal jargon Mafia/gangster slang widely attested in media for killing or striking. Example: “They whacked the informant.”
wacko noun Crazy person; someone irrational US/UK informal, pejorative Jocular or insulting term for someone perceived as unhinged. Example: “Don’t be a wacko.”
wackadoo noun Eccentric or crazy person (jocular) US/UK informal, jocular Playful intensifier of “wack/wacko”; used affectionately or mockingly. Example: “He’s a lovable wackadoo.”
wacky adj. Silly, eccentric, odd US/UK informal, jocular Lighthearted slang for quirky or outlandish behaviour. Example: “That was a wacky stunt.”
wanker noun Jerk, idiot; strong insult UK/AU/IE informal, pejorative Vulgar British insult often used for contemptible people. Example: “What a wanker.”
wanky adj. Pretentious, rubbish, masturbatory (pej.) UK informal, pejorative Derogatory British adjective for something self-indulgent or poor. Example: “That’s a wanky argument.”
wazzock noun Fool or idiot UK informal, regional (Northern) Regional British insult for a clueless or daft person. Example: “You daft wazzock!”
wassup interjection Casual greeting: “what’s up?” US informal, African American Vernacular Informal greeting popularized in TV/ads; variant of “what’s up”. Example: “Wassup, bro?”
woot interjection Hooray; expression of triumph Internet/US informal Internet/nerd slang from gaming culture, expresses excitement. Example: “Woot! We won.”
woke adj. Aware of social injustice and inequality US informal, political jargon Originally African American Vernacular; now mainstream political slang. Example: “He stays woke about policing.”
wonk noun Expert, especially policy specialist US informal Slang for someone nerdy about details (policy, tech). Example: “Policy wonks debated the bill.”
wonky adj. Unstable, unreliable, off-kilter UK/US informal Informal adjective for malfunctioning or eccentric things. Example: “The app’s been wonky today.”
whiz noun Someone very skilled; prodigy US informal Colloquial term for a talented person. Example: “She’s a coding whiz.”
whizkid noun Young talented person or prodigy US informal, jocular Youthful term for an up-and-coming expert. Example: “The whizkid launched the startup.”
whip noun Car (slang) US informal Hip-hop slang for a vehicle; derives from steering terminology. Example: “Check out my new whip.”
whip verb To defeat decisively US informal Slang in sports/gaming for dominating an opponent. Example: “They whipped the visitors.”
whip-smart adj. Extremely clever US informal Colloquial compliment for quick intelligence. Example: “She’s whip-smart.”
wheels noun Car(s) (slang) US informal Casual word for one’s automobile; common in spoken English. Example: “Nice wheels, man.”
whack-job noun Deranged or crazy person US informal, pejorative Vulgar informal term for someone perceived as mentally unstable. Example: “Ignore the whack-job.”
whinge verb Complain persistently UK/AU informal British/Australian informal for nagging complaints. Example: “Stop whinging about it.”
wino noun Alcoholic vagrant US informal, pejorative Slang for an alcoholic, often homeless; dated but common. Example: “He became a wino after losing his job.”
wuss noun Cowardly or weak person US informal, pejorative Insult for someone who lacks courage or resolve. Example: “Don’t be a wuss—ask her out.”
win noun A success, triumph (slang) Internet/US informal Internet slang used as noun for favorable outcome. Example: “Free dessert? Big win.”
wifey noun Affectionate term for wife/girlfriend US informal, jocular Endearing slang for a partner; playful. Example: “That’s my wifey.”
wannabe noun Person aspiring to be like someone famous US informal, pejorative Dismissive term for inauthentic aspirants. Example: “He’s just a wannabe rock star.”
wanna verb Informal contraction of “want to” US/UK informal, colloquial Spoken informal contraction used in casual writing/transcription. Example: “I wanna go now.”
wasted adj. Extremely drunk or high US informal, slang Widely used slang for intoxication. Example: “They got totally wasted last night.”
waster noun Lazy or useless person UK informal, pejorative British slang for someone who wastes potential or time. Example: “He’s such a waster.”
wicked adj. Excellent, great (slang) UK (esp. Northern)/US informal Regional slang turned mainstream; can mean “very” or “awesome.” Example: “That gig was wicked!”
whoopee interjection Hooray, excitement (jocular) US/UK informal, jocular Playful exclamation of joy or sarcasm. Example: “Whoopee! Vacation time!”
whoops interjection Oops; minor mistake exclamation US/UK informal Casual reaction to a small error. Example: “Whoops, spilled it.”
whoopass noun Severe beating; forceful punishment US informal, vulgar Vulgar slang for violent revenge or decisive defeat. Example: “He threatened to bring the whoopass.”
wallflower noun Shy person at social events US/UK informal Social slang for someone who avoids attention at dances/parties. Example: “She was a wallflower at prom.”
whammy noun A blow of bad luck; jinx US informal Slang for an unlucky or damaging event; “double whammy.” Example: “That’s a real whammy.”
woo-woo adj. Unscientific or mystical beliefs US informal, jocular Dismissive slang for pseudoscience or New Age ideas. Example: “He’s into woo-woo remedies.”
windbag noun Long-winded, pompous talker US/UK informal, pejorative Derogatory term for someone who talks excessively. Example: “Ignore that windbag on the panel.”
wildin verb Acting crazy or out of control (wildin’) US informal, AAVE-derived Contemporary slang for extreme or reckless behavior. Example: “They were wildin’ at the concert.”
whale noun Very big gambler or high roller Casino US informal, slang Gambling slang for a rich bettor who spends big sums. Example: “The casino chased the whales.”
whale verb To beat or thrash severely US informal Colloquial verb for hitting hard or defeating. Example: “They whale on the competition.”
wavy adj. Stylish, cool; also feeling high (slang) US informal, hip-hop Contemporary slang in music scenes for good vibe/style. Example: “This beat is wavy.”
wowza interjection Expression of surprise or amazement US informal, jocular Exclamatory slang for strong impression. Example: “Wowza—those prices!”
woof interjection Online slang indicating someone is unattractive Internet/US informal Dating-app/net slang used to signal poor looks; vocalised as “woof.” Example: “He posted that pic—woof.”
whoa interjection Stop or express amazement US/UK informal Colloquial exclamation to halt or react to surprise. Example: “Whoa—take it easy!”
word interjection Agreement, affirmation (“true”) US informal, hip-hop slang Slang affirmation from hip-hop culture meaning “I agree.” Example: “Word. That’s true.”
wordup interjection Greeting or agreement (variant) US informal, hip-hop Compound slang from hip-hop; means “I agree” or “what’s up.” Example: “Wordup—I’ll be there.”
whippersnapper noun Impertinent young person US/UK informal, jocular Old-fashioned but still used jocularly for cheeky youngsters. Example: “That whippersnapper thinks he knows it all.”
whopper noun Big lie or huge thing US/UK informal Informal for an outrageous falsehood or very large object. Example: “He told a whopper about his salary.”
whup verb To beat or defeat; variant of “whoop” US informal Colloquial variant meaning to thrash or punish. Example: “They whup the other team.”
whupped adj. Beaten or exhausted; thoroughly defeated US informal Past-tense adjective from “whup”; used colloquially. Example: “We were whupped after practice.”
whatcha interjection/verb Informal “what are you/what do you” US/UK informal, colloquial Casual contracted form of “what are you/what do you”; transcriptional slang. Example: “Whatcha doing tonight?”
wowser noun Moralizer or killjoy (AU slang) AU informal, pejorative Australian slang for someone who disapproves of pleasures; dated but attested. Example: “Don’t be a wowser about the party.”
womp interjection Sound effect for disappointment; “womp womp” Internet/US informal, jocular Meme-derived onomatopoeia expressing anticlimax. Example: “You failed the test—womp womp.”
wicked-smart adj. Extremely clever (intensifier “wicked”) US/UK informal Regional intensifier “wicked” + “smart” used colloquially. Example: “She’s wicked-smart.”
wicked (alt sense) adv/adj. Very; extremely (intensifier) US/UK informal, regional Regional slang use of “wicked” as intensifier, especially New England/UK. Example: “That’s wicked cool.”

Descriptions

wad
wack
whack
wacko
wackadoo
wacky
wanker
wanky
wazzock
wassup
woot
woke
wonk
wonky
whiz
whizkid
whip
whip
whip-smart
wheels
whack-job
whinge
wino
wuss
win
wifey
wannabe
wanna
wasted
waster
wicked
whoopee
whoops
whoopass
wallflower
whammy
woo-woo
windbag
wildin
whale
whale
wavy
wowza
woof
whoa
word
wordup
whippersnapper
whopper
whup
whupped
whatcha
wowser
womp
wicked-smart
wicked (alt sense)
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