What Does Gas Mean? Slang Definition, Examples & More

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Slang expert Shayan Faraz breaks down the multiple meanings of “gas”

Co-authored by Bailey Cho Reviewed by Shayan Faraz

Last Updated: August 27, 2026 Fact Checked

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Meaning

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Origins

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More Slang Words

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If you’ve been seeing “gas” in texting and on social media, then you’ve just discovered one of the most popular Gen Z slang terms in recent times. Luckily, we’re explaining everything you need to know about “gas,” including its meaning, usage, and origins, with help from slang expert Shayan Faraz. We’ll also cover other popular slang words so you can be in the know. Let’s go!

What does “gas” mean in slang?

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Slang expert Shayan Faraz says “gas” means “great,” “excellent,” or “high-quality.” It’s used to describe anything impressive, including food, music, movies, or events. For example, you might say, "Olivia Rodrigo's new album is gas!" Alternatively, “gas” can be used as a verb that means “to hype someone up.”

Section 1 of 3:

“Gas” Slang Meaning & Usage

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“Gas” is a slang adjective meaning “excellent” or “awesome.” Faraz says “gas” is a positive word that means something is really good, high-quality, or strong, and can be used to describe food, clothing, and much more.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Shayan Faraz
Slang Expert

Expert Interview} If you see an epic movie, for example, saying that it’s “gas” is a great way to convince others to go see it and let them know you thought it was amazing. Here are more ways to use “gas” as an adjective:
- “Future’s new single is pure GAS!!!”
- “Marty Supreme was gas. You gotta see it!”
- “Those low-rise jeans with the butterfly top… gas!”
- “That vodka slice was gas. Hands down, the best thing I ate in NYC!”
Meet the wikiHow Expert

Shayan Faraz (also known online as Chum) is a slang and trend expert based in Ann Arbor, Michigan who posts content about cultural trends. He has over 35,000 followers and over 7 million likes on his TikTok page @chummertok.
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“Gas” is also used as a verb that means “to hype someone up.” When you “gas someone up,” it means you’re giving them a compliment, often regarding their looks or personality. It’s typically used between close friends to boost their confidence and make them feel good.^{[2]
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Research source} Here are more ways to use “gas” as a verb:
- “Thanks for gassing me up. It really lifted my mood!”
- “My girlfriend was feeling down, so I spent all day gassing her up.”
- “Stop gassing me up… My hair doesn’t even look that good today.”
- “I love when I post a selfie and all my friends gas me up in the comments.”
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“Gas” can also refer to a high-grade strain of marijuana. Faraz says “gas” is also “marijuana slang [used] to describe potent or strong weed, but it has since evolved to other uses.”^{[3]
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Expert Source

Shayan Faraz
Slang Expert

Expert Interview} The strong odor is comparable to gasoline or diesel. It’s often used interchangeably with other slang terms for cannabis, such as “loud” or “chronic.”^{[4]
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Research source} Here are examples of how “gas” is used as a noun:
- “I need to grab some gas.”
- “We’re only smoking that premium gas tonight.”
- “My perfect weekend is smoking gas and watching anime.”
- “Bout to get some gas. Do you want anything from the dispensary?”

Section 2 of 3:

Where does “gas” come from?

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“Gas” has been slang for “delight” since the mid-20th century. During this period, the term meant “something that gives pleasure,” and it was first recorded in print in 1839 when Charles Dickens coined the expression “everything is gas and gaiters.” Irish novelist and poet James Joyce then used it at the turn of the 20th century for something humorous or frivolous. Then, Black Americans may have adopted it during the Jazz Age in the 1920s and 1930s.^{[5]
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- As a verb, it comes from the mid-19th-century slang term “gassing,” which meant talking emptily or boastfully.^{[6]
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Section 3 of 3:

More Slang Words

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New slang and trends are constantly popping up online. Teens are constantly creating new slang terms and abbreviations. Here’s a quick overview of some popular terms if you want to understand Gen Z slang:
- Aura: Refers to someone’s vibe or personality.
- Bet: This is another way to say “okay” or “sure.”
- TS: This stands for “talk soon,” “tough s***,” or “this s***.”
- Body tea: Used to describe a snatched, or super hot bod.
- Chopped: Means you’re ugly, undesirable, or unattractive.
- Szn: This is short for “season.” It can refer to a traditional season, like summer or winter, but most people use it to discuss holidays, events, sports seasons, or personal phases.
- PMO: This stands for “pissing me off” or “put me on.” If it’s the latter, it’s a request for someone to show you something new or provide a recommendation.
- Bop: A “bop” is someone who posts promiscuous photos online or has lots of sexual partners. It’s a misogynistic term that’s used to shame women and is highly disrespectful.
- Type shi: Whether it’s clothes, music, jewelry, or a luxury lifestyle, “type shi” can be used to talk about anything cool, impressive, or high quality. It can also be used to agree with someone, similar to saying “I feel you” or “I hear you.”
- Ten toes down: When you’re “ten toes down,” you’re fully loyal to a person, cause, or belief. You stand firm in your values, no matter what other people say, and you aren’t afraid to embrace your authentic self.