Deadass
Emphatic slang meaning 'seriously' or 'for real' — used to stress honesty or intensity.
Definition
Deadass means 'I'm serious' / 'for real' — an intensifier that confirms sincerity or disbelief. Can stand alone ('Deadass?') as a question, or modify a claim ('I deadass forgot'). Closely related to no cap in function, with stronger New York / AAVE roots in popular usage.
History
Longstanding AAVE / New York City slang that spread nationally through hip-hop, Vine, Twitter, and TikTok. Know Your Meme documents its mainstream internet adoption as an emphatic particle.
Cultural scores
Editorial estimates of cultural weight — Current Popularity tracks how much people are posting about this now, not historical fame.
Current Popularity = how actively people are posting about this today. Influence = lasting footprint. Cringe = online reception. Brainrot = absurdist energy. How scoring works
Examples
- “Deadass thought the exam was tomorrow”
- “You got the job? Deadass?”
- “I'm deadass not going to that party”
Related entries
Culturally linked — not random recommendations.
Bet
SlangA quick agreement or challenge acknowledgment — 'okay,' 'deal,' or 'you're on.'
No Cap
Slang'No lie' / 'I'm being serious' — 'cap' means a lie, so 'no cap' means telling the truth.
Type Shii / Type Shit
SlangAAVE slang used as agreement, approval, or a shorthand for 'that kind of stuff' — often written type shi / type shii online.
High-key / Low-key
Slang'Low-key' means subtly, secretly, or to a moderate degree — you want it but won't admit it openly. 'High-key' means very much, obviously, or without reservation.
References
Sources behind this entry. Prefer primary reporting and established culture archives over rumor.
- Deadass — Wiktionary
en.wiktionary.org