POV: We Explain TikTok Slang

Are you mid? Is based a compliment? Do you have opps? TikTok, like all social media, is a place where slang, acronyms, and spicy memes live their best (and worst) lives, popping up in videos, in comments, and as hashtags. Even if all you’re doing is browsing TikTok for the most highbrow of cat videos (sure you are), it’s nearly impossible to avoid terms like rizz, fyp, POV, and ratio. 

Of course, not every slang term you’ll come across on TikTok was born on TikTok, but it’s now often the first place you’ll encounter such terms. Here are some of the more common TikTok slang terms and acronyms, along with their definitions. 

Content Note: As you might expect, some of these terms contain profanity.  

What does POV mean on TikTok? 

POV stands for point of view. On TikTok, POV is often used in videos or as a hashtag to indicate that the video is meant to be watched as if the viewer were present or the viewer is in a specific situation. While the acronym POV is not exclusive to TikTok, POV videos are a popular video format on the platform.

Example: POV: You just posted a cringe meme.

@louisandmelo

♬ Originalton – Lasse Böckmann

What does ratio mean on TikTok? 

On social media, the word ratio is used to indicate that a large number of people disagree with someone or something (a bad take, opinion, or content). The word ratio is used in reference to a situation in which a post has a high proportion of replies compared to likes or reposts, which usually indicates a barrage of negative replies criticizing and often mocking the post.

If someone has been ratioed, it means a lot of people have disliked or posted negative comments about their content. Sometimes, the word ratio is used by itself in a comment to indicate dislike of the post. The term ratio is used on many different social media platforms, especially Twitter, and often appears in the L + ratio format.  

Example: This video is trash and you should feel bad. Ratio. 

What does asl mean on TikTok? 

When written in all lowercase, asl is often used on TikTok as a shortening of as hell. This usage is not exclusive to TikTok and appears on other social media platforms. ASL, both lowercase and uppercase, can also stand for American Sign Language or age, sex, location (used to request identifying information online). 

Example: I was tired asl this morning.

What does asf mean on TikTok?

The abbreviation asf is a shortening of the phrase as fuck. It’s used across social media platforms and as text slang. The abbreviation af is used to mean the same thing. 

Example: I need to get something to eat because I’m hungry asf right now. 

What does W mean on TikTok?

The letter W is often used to mean win—as in a victory. This usage is common across social media.

Example: My new video went viral, so I’m going to take that W.

Even long before its internet adoption, W has been one of the alphabet’s most interesting, versatile letters. Learn about wacky, wonderful W.

What does smh mean on TikTok?

The abbreviation smh stands for shaking my head (or shake my head). It is a common acronym on both social media and in texting that is used to express frustration, exasperation, or disbelief.

Example: Some people actually liked that new movie. smh

What does mid mean on TikTok?

The slang sense of mid describes something as being mediocre or of low quality. The term was especially popularized (and is commonly used) on TikTok.

Example: Those shoes are mid.

@saulgoodman_69420

#fyp #WorldPrincessWeek #stardewvalley #terraria #ratio @bitchboy279 @Slim Jim

♬ Better Call Saul TV Theme – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack – Voidoid

What does nfs mean on TikTok?

The abbreviation NFS is used in different and unrelated ways. If often refers to Need for Speed, a popular series of car racing video games. Alternatively, it is used (often as the lowercase nfs) to mean not for sale or no funny shit.

What does BBL mean on TikTok?

On TikTok, BBL often stands for Brazilian butt lift, an informal name for a type of cosmetic surgery. The acronym BBL is used on TikTok in both serious and humorous discussion about the procedure and people who get it.

Example: I was looking at pics of what she looked like before and after the BBL.

What does AS mean on TikTok?

On TikTok, AS often stands for Adult Swim, the name of a programming block on the cable channel Cartoon Network that primarily shows adult-oriented cartoons and shows. On TikTok, AS is often used as a hashtag to refer to video content that mimics an Adult Swim ad and creatively depicts the Adult Swim logo, often stylized as [as].

What does fyp mean on TikTok?

The abbreviation fyp stands for For You page, the name for the first page a TikTok user sees when using the TikTok app. TikTok uses algorithms to give each user a personalized page of videos they might be most interested in. Because the For You page is a TikTok feature, the abbreviation fyp is typically only used on TikTok.

Example: My fyp is always full of drumming videos.

What does dtb mean on TikTok?

Depending on the context, dtb can stand for don’t trust boys or don’t trust bitches. In either case, dtb is often used on TikTok in videos that seriously or jokingly discuss bad relationships. It’s primarily used on TikTok as opposed to other social media platforms.

Example: Those crypto guys are just after your money. #dtb

What does rizz mean on TikTok?

Rizz is a slang term for skill in charming or seducing a potential romantic partner. It can be used as a noun to refer to seduction ability or as a verb to mean “to charm someone.” The slang rizz didn’t originate on TikTok, but the platform has played a large part in popularizing this word. (And it’s definitely one of the words to watch in 2023.)

Example: Kai gets all the girls. That dude has serious rizz.

@mrlinguini7

Supa rizzer #lol #memes #funny #humor #megamind #titan #megamindmemes #real #relatable #rizz #rizzgod #lightskin #lightskinface #fyp #hey #dukedennis #foryoupage #cameraman

♬ sin city slowed – cali <3

What does slay mean on TikTok?

The slang word slay is often used on TikTok to mean “to do something very well” or “to strongly impress or overwhelm someone.” Slay is an example of a term that predates the rise of social media. In Black, Latinx, and queer ball culture of the 1970 and 1980s, the slang term slaying came to mean having a flawless outfit, hair, makeup, dance moves, and attitude. Since then, slay has moved into mainstream use, not just on social media.

Example: I’ve worn this a million times but it still slays.

What does NPC mean on TikTok?

In gaming, any character that is under the control of a player is known as a player character or PC. The abbreviation NPC stands for non-player character, which refers to the video game characters that are not controlled by a player and instead perform predetermined actions. Often on TikTok, NPC is used as a slang term to refer to a person who blindly follows trends or copies other peoples’ opinions rather than make their own decisions. This slang use of NPC is not exclusive to TikTok.

Example: A lot of people I know are straight-up NPCs who get all their opinions from podcasts.

@oofburgerman

real #npc #school #interstellar #fyp #viral

♬ original sound – definitely not connors alt

From NPCs to livestreams, the worlds of social media and gaming are intimately linked. Learn more gaming slang to up your online lingo.

What does fake body mean on TikTok?

The term fake body is used on TikTok to refer to partial nudity. Fake body most often appears in hashtags of videos and is used to circumvent TikTok’s algorithm that strictly censors sexual content. By searching the fake body hashtag, TikTok users are able to find videos that include things such as shirtless men or people in bathing suits. Because of its specific connection to TikTok algorithms, the fake body hashtag is primarily used on TikTok.

What does mascara mean on TikTok?

On TikTok, the word mascara is often used as a coded reference to sex, sexual partners, or sex toys. This is another example of coded language (sometimes called algospeak) used to bypass TikTok algorithms that censor content about things like sex. Due to its specific connection to TikTok algorithms, the slang sense of mascara is almost exclusively used on TikTok.

Example: My last mascara was really bad, so I am taking a break for a while.

What does opp mean on TikTok?

The word opp is used to refer to someone’s enemies or rivals. It’s thought to be a shortening of opponent or opposition. The slang term opp is older than TikTok and was popularized in hip-hop.

Example: I know it’s my opps who keep downvoting my vids.

@keasocool.2

they be so weird don’t like you but watch u 😭😭‼️ IG (kea__socool) #fyp #trending #relatable #opp #fake #macysownyourstyle #AerieREAL #keasocool #viral #fypsounds

♬ original sound – Jaayy💞