What it means
A quick little agreement stamp meaning yeah, I hear you, that's true, or exactly that. You drop word after someone's said something real, sharp, or painfully accurate. It can back a rant, co-sign a good point, or just nod along with maximum chill. Usually lands best short and deadpan.
Usage examples
"That exam was savage, mate, and my pen died halfway through. Word. Grab a Tesco meal deal and let’s pretend revision never happened."
"When my mate said the new bakery on Bethnal Green Road does the best almond croissants this side of the Thames, I just nodded and said word, because I had been thinking exactly the same thing on the walk over to the meeting."
"Word, the train from Manchester Piccadilly to Sheffield has been a disaster for the whole month of October, the cancellation rate is criminal, and the railway company keeps blaming leaves on the line in a season when leaves should not be the news any more."
"I told her if the landlord ignores that leak one more time we're moving out. Word, I'm not paying London rent to live in a drip cave."
"That chippy shuts at nine and it's already half eight. Word, stop waffling and get your shoes on."
Where it comes from
Word comes from African American Vernacular English. It grew out of Black speech in the US, especially New York, and connects to word is bond, a phrase tied to Five Percent Nation culture from the 1960s. Hip-hop spread it wide, and by the 80s and 90s word had become a clean one-word sign of agreement.
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