This list includes 29 Slang words that start with Y, from “ya” to “yute”. They are mostly short, informal terms, often phonetic or regional, used in casual speech and online. Writers, content creators, and learners use them to add authentic conversational flavor.
Slang words that start with Y are informal expressions and regional variants used mainly in casual speech. Many come from dialects, online culture, or Creole traditions, for example “yute” meaning young person.
Below you’ll find the table with Word, Meaning, Example, Region, Register, and Date/Source.
Word: Shows the slang term so you can scan entries and locate exact forms quickly.
Meaning: Gives a concise definition in plain language, helping you understand everyday usage at a glance.
Example: Provides one short sentence showing natural use, so you hear how speakers actually use the word.
Region: Notes the geographic or cultural area where the term is most common, guiding you on local usage.
Register: Labels tone or social level (informal, pejorative, playful) so you know when to use or avoid it.
Date/Source: Lists a date or source when available, letting you gauge how recent or established the term is.
Slang words that start with Y
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Region/Register/Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ya | interjection | informal you or yes/affirmation | US,UK,Global / informal (colloquial) |
| yo | interjection | greeting or attention-getter | US,Global / informal (hip-hop 1970s) |
| yeet | verb | to throw forcefully; exclamation of excitement | US,Global / informal (meme 2014) |
| yikes | interjection | expression of alarm, shock, or embarrassment | Global / informal (internet 2000s) |
| yas | interjection | enthusiastic yes or approval | US,Global / informal (social media 2010s) |
| yass | interjection | emphatic approval (variant of “yas”) | US,Global / informal (social media) |
| yassify | verb | to glamorize or remix someone/something online | Global / informal (meme 2019) |
| yak | verb | to talk at length; chat casually | US,UK / informal (mid 20th c) |
| yack | verb | variant of “yak” meaning to talk or vomit (slang) | US,UK / informal (colloquial) |
| yap | verb | to talk a lot or bark sharply | Global / informal |
| yoink | verb | to snatch something quickly, often jokingly | US,Global / informal (comic/online) |
| yinz | pronoun | you (plural), Pittsburgh regional second-person plural | US (Pittsburgh) / regional (dialect) |
| yob | noun | rowdy or loutish young person | UK / informal (1960s) |
| yobbo | noun | variant of “yob”; yob-like person | UK / informal (1980s) |
| yute | noun | youth, young person (Caribbean/UK slang) | Caribbean,UK / informal (Jamaican English) |
| yardie | noun | member of Jamaican gang or Jamaican person (slang) | UK,Caribbean / informal,pejorative (1970s) |
| yuppie | noun | young urban professional, often materialistic | US,UK / informal,pejorative (1980s) |
| yoyo | noun | foolish or incompetent person (insult) | US,UK / informal |
| yank | noun | American (informal, sometimes pejorative) | UK,Global / informal (19th c) |
| yahoo | noun | rude, uncouth person; or exclamation of joy | Global / informal (literary 18th c) |
| yenta | noun | a gossip or busybody (Yiddish origin) | US,UK / informal (Yiddish loanword) |
| yuck | interjection | expression of disgust | Global / informal |
| yawner | noun | boring person or thing; something dull | US,UK / informal |
| yoke | noun | gadget or thing; unspecified object (dialect) | UK,IE / regional,informal (Northern/Irish) |
| yegg | noun | safecracker or burglar (old American slang) | US / informal (early 20th c) |
| yowza | interjection | expression of excitement or admiration | US / informal (20th c) |
| yeehaw | interjection | exclamation of excitement, often faux-cowboy | US / colloquial (Southern/Western) |
| yuk | verb | to laugh loudly or make someone laugh (“yuk it up”) | US,UK / informal |
| yapper | noun | talkative person or small, noisy dog | Global / informal |
Descriptions
ya
Casual contraction used in speech/text for “you” or “yeah.” “You coming?” → “Ya coming?”
yo
Short, punchy greeting or call used in speech and messaging. “Yo, you okay?”
yeet
Viral verb/exclamation meaning to toss with energy or celebrate. “He yeeted the ball across the yard.”
yikes
Used online and in speech to react to awkward or alarming situations. “Yikes—that was an awkward comment.”
yas
Cheerful approval often used in queer and online communities. “Yas, slay!”
yass
An elongated form of “yas” for stronger praise. “Yass! That’s gorgeous.”
yassify
Meme-verb for applying glamorous filters or edits to images. “They yassified the movie poster.”
yak
Informal verb for chatting or chattering. “We yak for hours on the phone.”
yack
Alternate spelling used for talking or, less commonly, to vomit. “Stop yacking and listen.”
yap
Informal verb for noisy talking or barking. “Quit yapping and get to work.”
yoink
Playful sound-word used when grabbing or stealing something fast. “Yoink! That was mine.”
yinz
Distinctive Pittsburghism for “you all.” “Yinz wanna go to the game?”
yob
British term for a hooligan or troublemaking youth. “Those yobs smashed the bus stop.”
yobbo
Colloquial, slightly mocking term for a yob. “He’s a right yobbo down at the pub.”
yute
Jamaican- and UK-influenced slang for a young person. “The yute was hanging on the corner.”
yardie
Slang for someone from Jamaica; can be pejorative when referring to criminals. “They suspected a yardie gang.”
yuppie
Label for career-focused city dwellers, sometimes derisive. “The neighborhood filled with yuppies.”
yoyo
Mild insult for someone acting stupidly; also toy name. “Don’t be a yoyo—think first.”
yank
Colloquial term for someone from the United States. “He’s a Yank visiting London.”
yahoo
Used as an insult or exuberant shout: “Yahoo!” “He’s a no-good yahoo.”
yenta
Derogatory or playful term for someone who meddles or gossips. “Don’t be a yenta about their marriage.”
yuck
Spoken reaction to something gross or unpleasant. “Yuck—that milk’s gone off.”
yawner
Informal noun for an uninteresting event or person. “The lecture was a real yawner.”
yoke
Northern British/Irish slang for an object whose name is unknown. “Hand me that yoke over there.”
yegg
Historical slang for a criminal who cracks safes. “The yegg hit the bank at night.”
yowza
Playful, emphatic exclamation like “wow.” “Yowza—that car’s fast!”
yeehaw
Rural or playful cheer associated with Western culture. “Yeehaw! Let’s ride!”
yuk
To laugh boisterously, often in informal company. “They were yukking it up at the joke.”
yapper
Derogatory or teasing term for someone who talks too much. “Shut up, you little yapper.”