slanglike

Slanglike is an adjective used in linguistics and lexicography to describe linguistic items or styles that resemble slang in form, function, or social meaning but do not strictly meet the traditional definition of slang. It is often applied to neologisms, internet coinages, or borrowings that circulate primarily in informal speech or online communities while gradually gaining broader usage.

The term is formed from slang plus like and appears in descriptive accounts and dictionary notes to signal that a term has slang‑like characteristics without being fully categorized as slang. It is particularly common in studies of rapidly changing internet language, youth speech, or evolving registers where the boundary between slang and other informal styles is fluid.

Characteristics of slanglike forms often include rapid diffusion, cross‑group adoption, playful phonology or orthography (creative spellings), semantic drift, and a flexible, context‑dependent function. They may function as adjectives, verbs, or nouns, and can migrate from highly informal contexts into more general discourse over time.

Distinction is important: slang describes a sociolect or sublanguage consisting of informal, unconventional words used by a particular community. Slanglike refers to individual items or styles that resemble slang or to the register in which such items operate, without asserting that every example is fully slang. This helps analysts describe language change without forcing every new coinage into a single category.

Examples and notes: terms such as “selfie” or “lit” have been described in some accounts as having slanglike features during their early diffusion, even as they move toward broader acceptance. The label is a descriptive aid rather than a fixed category.

See also: slang, colloquialism, neologism, internet linguistics, jargon, register.