Aussie slang words and phrases (2024)

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Say what? Your guide to Aussie slang.

When you arrive in Australia, don't be surprised if you can't understand everything Australians say. It's not you, it's us!

We love to use 'slang,' which is words or phrases that are relatively informal and tend only to be used by locals. You'll rarely find slang words and phrases in any dictionary and even if English is your first language, you may still be thrown off balance by the way Aussies (Australians) talk.

So, we've deciphered a few words of everyday slang and useful terms in order to help you understand Aussie lingo!

Aboriginal = the Indigenous/First Nations people of Australia who are the traditional owners of the land.
Aggro = Describes someone or something aggressive
Air con = Air conditioning/conditioner
Arvo = Afternoon
Banger = Sausage
Barby/Barbie Grill or barbecue grill
Bathers = Swimming suit
Bikkie = Biscuit/cookie
Bloke = Man/friend/guy
Boardies = Board shorts, worn by surfers
Bonnet = Front end of a car
Boot = Trunk of a car
Bottle-o = Liquor store
Brekkie = Breakfast; Also spelled brekky or breaky
Brolly = Umbrella
Bush = Forest/Outback
B.Y.O. = Bring your own (usually alcohol or drinks)
Chemist = Pharmacy/ drug store
Chewie = Chewing gum
Chook = Chicken
Chrissy = Christmas
Chuck a sickie = Call in sick to work for a day off when you're not actually sick
Cordial = Flavoured syrup that you add water to, similar to Kool-Aid
Cozzie = Swimming suit
Cracker = Great e.g. "What a cracker of a day."
Crook = Ill or sick
Cuppa = A hot beverage, usually tea or coffee
Dear = Expensive
Defo = Short for definitely
Docket = Receipt/bill
Doona = Duvet/quilt
Dunny = Toilet
Esky = Ice cooler (portable cooler to keep food and/or drinks cold)
Exy = Expensive
Fair dinkum = True or genuine
Flanno = Flannelette shirt
Flat out = Busy
Flat mate = Roommate/housemate
Footpath = Sidewalk
Footy = Football, often Australian Rules Football or Rugby League depending on region. Not soccer.
Fussed = Bothered
G'day= Abbreviation of good day (used as a greeting, like hello)
Gas = LPG or Liquid Petroleum Gas (used for the barbie!). Not petrol.
Good on ya = Great job or well done.
Granny flat = A separate living accommodation, usually attached to the home or in a separate building in the back of the home.
Hard yakka = Hard work
Heaps = A lot
"How ya going?" = "How are you doing?"
Joey = A baby kangaroo. You may see a kangaroo on campus at Charles Sturt!
Jumper = A cardigan/sweater

Kindy = Kindergarten
Kip = Nap
Kiwi = Someone from New Zealand
Light globe = Light bulb
Lippie = Lipstick
Loo = Toilet
Maccas = McDonald's
Mash = Mashed potatoes
Mate = Friend
Mate's rates =Discounted price for a friend
Mozzies =Mosquitoes
"No dramas"/"No worries" =Generally it means "don't worry about it" or "no problem"
Petrol = Fuel /gasoline
PJs= pyjamas
Pom = Used referring to English people.
Postie = Postal worker, Someone who delivers mail
Power point =Electrical outlet
Pram = Stroller
Prezzy/Pressie = A gift or a present
Reckon = Figure; think; assume. "I reckon you're right about that"
Rego = Vehicle registration
Rellie/Rello = A relative
Reno = Short for renovation
Rubbish = Garbage
Rug up = Bundle up to keep warm when it's cold outside.
Sanger = Sandwich
Servo = Service/gas station
Sheila = Woman
Sickie = Calling in sick to work
Slip, Slop, Slap = a slogan about sun protection (Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat)
Snag = Another word for sausage (like sanger)
Soft drink = Soda beverage
Stoked = To be excited by something
Sunnies = Sunglasses
Surfies = People who surf
Suss = Size-up or study something
Swimmers = Bathing suit
Ta = Thank you
Tap = Faucet
Tea = Evening meal/dinner
Thongs = Flip-flops/ sandals. Not a form of underwear.
Tip = The garbage dump
Torch = Flashlight
Trackies = Tracksuits
Tradie = Tradesman/woman
Trolley = Shopping cart
Uni = University
Ute = Pick-up truck or utility vehicle
Veranda = Porch or balcony
Whinge = Persistently and annoying complaining
Woolies = Woolworths (A supermarket chain)
Woop Woop = Made up name for a tiny town in the middle of nowhere
Yank = An American
Yewy = A U-turn

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