What Urban Dictionary Is

When someone runs into a word they don't know, this is where they look it up. But Urban Dictionary is also where new words get defined for the first time. Before "doom scrolling" had a name, millions of people were doing it but nobody could talk about it. That's the kind of word Urban Dictionary is for.

A traditional dictionary tells you what "bussin" means. Urban Dictionary shows you how it lives. Since 1999, over 17 million definitions have documented how language actually changes, while it's happening.

The line

Urban Dictionary is descriptive, not prescriptive. It documents how language is actually used, not how it should be used.

Urban Dictionary publishes definitions that explain language but not definitions that attack people.

There's a difference between defining an offensive term so someone can understand it, and using a platform to target and harass someone. The first helps people communicate. The second causes harm.

For contributors

• Write for everyone. Provide enough context for someone unfamiliar with the term to understand it.
• Be creative. Humor, wordplay, and cultural commentary are welcome.
• Don't post personal information. No full names, addresses, or handles that identify private individuals.
• Don't use definitions as weapons. Content that exists to harass or incite violence rather than to explain will be removed.

If you see something that crosses the line from explaining to attacking, flag it for review and our moderation team will review it according to our policies.