What it means
A vibe is the overall feeling or energy something gives off, the atmosphere you can sense but not quite name. Good vibes, bad vibes, or just vibing along to the mood of the moment.
Usage examples
"This little cafe has such a good vibe."
"We spent the afternoon just vibing in the park."
"I'm not going to that party, the vibe feels off already."
"Their flat's tiny but the vibe is immaculate."
Where it comes from
Short for vibration, vibe grew out of English uses of vibration for a felt emotional or atmospheric energy. It was around in Black and bohemian usage in the 1960s, then spread wider through music, youth culture, and later internet talk until it became the everyday word for a whole mood.
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
Your vote counts
Is this real street talk or have we lost the plot? Cast your vote.
We look after this expression together
If they say it where you live and something is missing here, bring it. A magikito looks at it and adds it.
- An example
- Your patch
- Your voice