By Holly • 44 Comments
It's not surprising that people in different areas of the world use different words. However, you might as well borrow some of the interesting ones that you hear in order to enhance your own vocabulary. After all, we're all part of the same planet. Here are a few of the best British words that should be used all around the world:
This word means "awesome." Since the words "cool" and "ill" aren't as popular as they used to be, it's about time that we start using something else--something like ace!
You've definitely heard this word before. It's meant to be used when you have feelings for someone. Instead of saying you're crushing on them, you can say that you fancy them.
This is a swear word used in a similar way that we use the dreaded F word. So the next time you're mad at your teacher, you can claim that their class is bloody awful.
Cheeky means "impudent or irreverent, typically in an endearing or amusing way." You know when your crush does something that should make you roll your eyes, but it makes you grin instead? That's cheeky behavior.
This word doesn't have to be used when you're giving a toast at a wedding. You can also use it in order to say goodbye. It's about the cutest way that you could bid someone adieu.
Additionally, "cheers" can be sprinkled into conversations to express gratitude, akin to saying "thanks" in the most charmingly British way. It’s versatile, light-hearted, and conveys a sense of warmth and friendliness that's bound to make any interaction a bit more pleasant. So the next time you've been offered a spot of help, or someone's passed you the jam at breakfast, a cheerful cheers will do nicely to show your appreciation. It's the sort of word that brings a smile and an immediate sense of camaraderie.
This word means that something is uncool. So if you hate the way that uggs look in summertime, you can say that the trend is naff.
Naff isn't just limited to fashion faux pas; it extends to anything that's a bit cringe-worthy or lacking in style, whether it's a tired joke, a worn-out catchphrase, or even a lackluster party. If someone shows up to a get-together boasting about their new flip phone in the age of smartphones, it's perfectly acceptable to whisper to your friend that the brag is totally naff. The beauty of this slang word is its versatility—it can apply to objects, concepts, or even people's behaviors. Just remember to use it gently; nobody wants to be the naff one in the room!
This word simply means food. The next time you're hungry, you can ask your parents if there's any good nosh in the fridge that they can heat up for you.
In other areas of the world, people use this word to describe anger. However, in the UK, it's used to describe someone who is drunk.
This word is used to describe sex. Even though it's explaining something naughty, it sounds like such a sweet word.
This is another word used to describe someone who is drunk. This time, however, it just sounds a little less crude.
We've all been to a lively party or two where 'sloshed' was the perfect descriptor for the merry state of revelers. Unlike some of its counterparts, 'sloshed' carries with it a playful, almost affectionate undertone. It's the kind of term that conjures images of friends giggling with wine glasses in hand or colleagues letting loose at the office Christmas do. So next time you're at a gathering that's high-spirited, and someone's had one too many, you might say they're absolutely sloshed, and chances are, it'll induce a smile rather than a frown.
This is used when you don't want to curse too badly in front of others. It's similar to saying words like "damn" or "hell."
"Sod" can also be cheekily wielded in a moment of frustration or playful annoyance. For example, when someone beats you to the last biscuit, you might exclaim, "You little sod!" It's the kind of term that packs just enough punch to express irritation without crossing the line into full-blown expletives. Moreover, it's affectionately used among pals as banter, so don't be surprised if you hear it tossed around with a grin in a British pub. Just don't sodding overuse it, or it'll lose its charm!
This word technically means off-center or askew. However, many people use it to describe something that just doesn't look right. If someone calls your hair wonky, it certainly isn't a compliment.
This word should be used when you're absolutely devastated over something. When your favorite singer loses The Voice, say that you're gutted about the finale.
This is a combination of scrumptious and yummy, so it means that the food you're eating is delicious. How adorable is that?
This is used to describe trash. You can ask someone to throw your rubbish in the bin, or you can get in a fight by telling someone that 50 Shades of Grey was actually rubbish.
You have to admit that the British have a way with words. Even without their attractive accents, they would sound as smart as can be. What's your favorite word that you've heard used by the British?