Aussie slang dictionary

Everyday Australian words and phrases, explained in plain English with an example of how people use them. Handy for life in Australia — but this isn’t citizenship test content. For the test, use the study notes. Want to sound like a local? Try Say it like an Aussie.

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131 words and phrases

A

Ace: Excellent, great.; Example: You got 20 out of 20? Ace!
Ambo: An ambulance officer (paramedic).; Example: The ambos arrived in five minutes.
Ankle biter: A small child (said fondly).; Example: We're bringing the ankle biters to the beach.
Arvo: Afternoon.; Example: See you Saturday arvo.
Aussie: Australian, or an Australian person. Said “Ozzie”.; Example: She's lived here for years — she's a true Aussie now.
Avo: Avocado.; Example: Avo on toast for brekkie, thanks.

B

Back of beyond: A very remote place, far from any town.; Example: Their farm is out the back of beyond.
Back of Bourke: A very remote place. Bourke is a small outback town in New South Wales.; Example: He moved somewhere out the back of Bourke.
Barbie: A barbecue.; Example: Come over Sunday — we're having a barbie.
Battler: An ordinary person who works hard and keeps going through tough times or with little money. Said with respect.; Example: Mum was a real battler.
Between the flags: Swimming in the area marked by red and yellow flags on a beach, where lifesavers are watching. Always swim between the flags.; Example: The surf's rough today — stay between the flags.
Bikkie: A biscuit (what Americans call a cookie).; Example: Want a bikkie with your cuppa?
Billabong: A waterhole, usually a pool left behind when a river changes course.; Most likely from Wiradjuri, an Aboriginal language of central New South Wales.
Bloke: A man.; Example: He's a nice bloke.
Blowie: A blowfly (a large, buzzing fly).; Example: Shut the screen door, the blowies are getting in.
Bonzer: Excellent. An old-fashioned word you'll hear in jokes.; Example: What a bonzer day!
Book in: Make an appointment. “Booked out” means there are no appointments left.; Example: I need to book in with the GP — they’re booked out till Friday.
Brekkie: Breakfast.; Example: Let's grab brekkie before work.
Bring a plate: Bring a dish of food to share. It doesn't mean bring an empty plate!; Example: It's a picnic for the whole street — bring a plate.
Brolly: An umbrella.; Example: Take a brolly, it looks like rain.
Bub: A baby.; Example: How's the new bub sleeping?
Bush: The countryside, away from cities and towns. “Going bush” means heading out there.; Example: We're going bush for the long weekend.
BYO: “Bring your own.” Bring your own food or drinks, for example to a picnic or barbie.; Example: The picnic is BYO.

C

Cactus: Broken, not working.; Example: The printer's cactus again.
Cheers: Thanks. Also used to say goodbye.; Example: Cheers for the lift!
Chemist: A pharmacy.; Example: Pick up some sunscreen at the chemist.
Chockers: Completely full. Also “chock-a-block”.; Example: The train was chockers this morning.
Chook: A chicken.; Example: Our chooks laid six eggs today.
Chuck a U-ey: Do a U-turn in a car.; Example: We missed the turn — chuck a U-ey.
Cooee: A long, high call used to find people in the bush. “Within cooee” means close by.; Example: The shops are within cooee of our place.; From Dharug, the Aboriginal language of the Sydney area.
Crikey: An exclamation of surprise, like “wow!”; Example: Crikey, look at the size of that wave!
Croc: A crocodile.; Example: Don't swim there — there are crocs.
Crook: Sick, unwell.; Example: I'm feeling a bit crook today.
Cuppa: A cup of tea or coffee.; Example: Pop the kettle on, let's have a cuppa.

D

Dag: Someone a bit uncool, but in a lovable way. “Daggy” means unfashionable.; Example: Dad's such a dag in those socks.
Deadset: Truly, absolutely.; Example: That was deadset the best pie I've ever had.
Defo: Definitely.; Example: I'm defo coming on Saturday.
Dingo: Australia's wild dog.; From Dharug, the Aboriginal language of the Sydney area.
Dob in: To tell someone in charge about another person's wrongdoing.; Example: My brother dobbed me in for eating the last Tim Tam.
Dog's breakfast: A complete mess.; Example: The kitchen's a dog's breakfast after the party.
Doona: A thick quilt for a bed (a duvet).; Example: It's cold — get the winter doona out.
Drop bear: A made-up “dangerous koala” that drops from trees. It's a joke Aussies tell visitors — it isn't real!; Example: Watch out for drop bears on the walk.; Read the drop bear safety guide
Dunny: A toilet, especially an old outdoor one.; Example: The camping ground has a dunny out the back.

E

Esky: A portable cool box for keeping food and drinks cold.; Example: Pack the esky with ice for the beach.

F

Fair dinkum: Genuine, honest, true. As a question, it means “really?”; Example: He's a fair dinkum good bloke.
Fair go: A fair chance — everyone should get the same opportunity, whatever their background.; Example: Give the new kid a fair go.; A fair go is also one of the Australian values in the citizenship booklet.; Study notes: equality of opportunity and a fair go
Fairy bread: White bread with butter and coloured sprinkles. A classic at children's birthday parties.; Example: Who's bringing the fairy bread?
Firie: A firefighter.; Example: The firies saved the whole street.
Fizzer: A letdown; something that didn't work out.; Example: The fireworks were a bit of a fizzer.
Flat out: Very busy, or going as fast as possible.; Example: I've been flat out at work all week.
Footy: Football. Usually Australian rules (AFL) in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory; rugby league in New South Wales and Queensland.; Example: Are you watching the footy tonight?

G

G'day: Hello. The classic Aussie greeting.; Example: G'day, how ya goin'?
Galah: A pink-and-grey cockatoo. Calling someone a galah means they're being silly (said playfully).; Example: Don't be a galah — put your seatbelt on.; From Yuwaalaraay and Gamilaraay, Aboriginal languages of north-west New South Wales.
Garbo: A garbage (rubbish) collector.; Example: Put the bins out — the garbos come early.
Get stuck in: Start something with energy.; Example: Dinner's ready — get stuck in!
Give it a burl: Give it a try. Also “have a crack” or “have a go”.; Example: Never surfed before? Give it a burl.
Grommet: A young surfer.; Example: The beach was full of grommets after school.

H

Hard yakka: Hard work, especially physical work.; Example: Moving house is hard yakka.; “Yakka” comes from Yagara, an Aboriginal language of the Brisbane area.
Hard yards: The difficult effort needed to achieve something.; Example: She put in the hard yards and passed.
Have a go: Try your best. Australians respect people who have a go, even if they don’t succeed.; Example: You won’t know until you have a go.
Heaps: Lots, or very.; Example: Thanks heaps!
Hooroo: Goodbye. Old-fashioned, but you’ll still hear it.; Example: Hooroo, see you next week.
Hot chips: Fried potato chips (fries). Packet chips (crisps) are just “chips”.; Example: Fish and hot chips at the beach, please.
How ya goin'?: How are you? You can answer “Good, thanks — you?”; Example: G'day mate, how ya goin'?

I

Ice block: A frozen flavoured ice on a stick (an ice lolly or popsicle).; Example: The kids had ice blocks after swimming.

K

Kangaroo: Australia's best-known animal. Often shortened to “roo”.; From Guugu Yimithirr, an Aboriginal language of the Cooktown area in Queensland.
Knackered: Very tired, exhausted.; Example: I'm knackered after that walk.
Knock off: Finish work for the day. “Knock-off time” is when work ends.; Example: What time do you knock off?
Koala: A tree-dwelling marsupial that eats gum leaves. Not a bear!; From Dharug, the Aboriginal language of the Sydney area.
Kookaburra: A native bird famous for its loud, laughing call, often heard at dawn.; From Wiradjuri, an Aboriginal language of central New South Wales.

L

Lamington: A square of sponge cake dipped in chocolate and rolled in coconut.; Example: The school's having a lamington drive.
Larrikin: A cheeky, fun-loving person who likes a joke and doesn't take things too seriously.; Example: Grandpa was a bit of a larrikin.
Legend: A great person. Often said as thanks.; Example: You saved me a seat? You're a legend.
Lollies: Sweets (what Americans call candy).; Example: No lollies before dinner!
Lollipop lady (or man): A school crossing supervisor who holds up a stop sign so children can cross the road.; Example: Wait for the lollipop lady before you cross.

M

Maccas: McDonald's.; Example: Let's stop at Maccas on the way.
Mate: A friend. Also a friendly way to speak to anyone, even a stranger.; Example: Thanks, mate.
Mateship: Loyalty and friendship, and helping each other — especially in hard times.; Mateship is also described in the citizenship booklet's section on Australian values.; Study notes: contribution, mateship and English
Mozzie: A mosquito.; Example: Put on some repellent, the mozzies are out.
Mum: Mother. Australians write “Mum”, not “Mom”.; Example: I'm calling Mum tonight.

N

Nah, yeah: Yes. (The last word is the one that counts.); Example: “Do you want to come?” “Nah, yeah, sounds good.”
No dramas: No problem.; Example: Running late? No dramas.
No worries: It's fine; you're welcome; don't worry about it.; Example: “Thanks for your help.” “No worries!”
Noice: Nice — said in a broad, drawn-out way, made famous by the TV comedy Kath & Kim.; Example: New car? Noice.
Not a sausage: Nothing at all.; Example: I checked the mailbox — not a sausage.

O

Op shop: A second-hand shop run by a charity (an “opportunity shop”).; Example: I found this jacket at the op shop for $5.
Outback: The remote, dry inland parts of Australia.; Example: They drove across the Outback to Alice Springs.
Oz: Australia.; Example: How long have you been in Oz?

P

Pav: A pavlova: a meringue dessert topped with cream and fruit.; Example: Who's bringing the pav for Christmas?
Postie: A postal worker who delivers mail.; Example: The postie left a parcel at the door.

R

Rapt: Delighted, very happy.; Example: She was rapt with her test result.
Reckon: Think, believe. On its own, “I reckon!” means “I agree!”; Example: I reckon it’ll rain this arvo.
Rego: A vehicle’s registration, and the fee you pay to keep it on the road.; Example: Don’t forget to pay the car rego.
Rellos: Relatives, family members.; Example: The rellos are coming for lunch.
Righto: Okay, all right.; Example: Righto, let's get going.
Ripper: Excellent, fantastic.; Example: That was a ripper of a game.

S

Sanga: A sandwich.; Example: I packed a sanga for lunch.
Sausage sizzle: A community barbecue that sells sausages in bread, often to raise money for a school or club.; Example: There's a sausage sizzle at the school fete.
Servo: A service station (petrol station).; Example: We need fuel — pull into the next servo.
She'll be right: It'll be okay; don't worry.; Example: Bit of rain? She'll be right.
Shout: To pay for something for others. “My shout” means “I'm paying.”; Example: Put your wallet away — it's my shout.
Sickie: A day of sick leave. “Chucking a sickie” is often said jokingly about someone taking a day off when they’re not really sick.; Example: I’m crook, so I’m taking a sickie.
Slip, slop, slap: A famous sun-safety slogan: slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat.; Example: It's a hot one — slip, slop, slap!
Smoko: A short break from work.; Example: Let's have smoko at ten.
Snag: A sausage.; Example: Throw a few snags on the barbie.
Sook: Someone who sulks or complains a lot (said gently).; Example: He’s a big sook when he has a cold.
Spit the dummy: Lose your temper, like a baby spitting out its dummy (pacifier).; Example: He spat the dummy when his team lost.
Stoked: Very pleased, thrilled.; Example: I'm stoked I passed!
Strewth: An old-fashioned exclamation of surprise.; Example: Strewth, it's hot today.
Stuffed: Very tired, or very full after eating. Also, broken. (Careful: “Get stuffed!” is a rude way to tell someone to go away.); Example: I’m stuffed after that big lunch.
Sunbaking: Lying in the sun (sunbathing). Remember the sunscreen!; Example: They spent the afternoon sunbaking at Bondi.
Sunnies: Sunglasses.; Example: Don't forget your sunnies.
Suss: Suspicious or dodgy. “Suss it out” means work something out or check it.; Example: That email looks a bit suss — don’t click the link.

T

Ta: Thanks.; Example: Ta for that.
Tassie: Tasmania.; Example: We're going to Tassie for a holiday.
Thongs: Flip-flops (rubber sandals). In some countries “thong” means underwear, but not here!; Example: Leave your thongs at the door.
Tim Tam: A much-loved chocolate biscuit.; Example: Who ate all the Tim Tams?
Togs: Swimwear. Depending on the state, you’ll also hear “bathers”, “swimmers” or “cozzie”.; Example: Pack your togs, we’re going to the pool.
Too easy: No problem, happy to help.; Example: “Can you drop this off?” “Too easy.”
Too right: Absolutely; I completely agree.; Example: “Hot today, isn’t it?” “Too right!”
Trackies: Tracksuit pants.; Example: It’s a trackies-on-the-couch kind of night.
Tradie: A tradesperson, like a plumber, electrician or builder.; Example: The tradie's coming to fix the tap.
Troppo: A bit crazy — as if from too much tropical heat.; Example: This heat’s sending me troppo.
True blue: Genuine, loyal.; Example: She's a true blue friend.
Tucker: Food.; Example: The tucker at the school fete was great.

U

Uni: University.; Example: She's studying nursing at uni.
Ute: A utility vehicle: a car with an open tray at the back.; Example: Throw the gear in the back of the ute.

V

Vegemite: A dark, salty spread made from yeast extract. Spread it thinly on toast!; Example: Vegemite on toast is a classic brekkie.

W

Wombat: A sturdy, burrowing marsupial.; From Dharug, the Aboriginal language of the Sydney area.
Woop Woop: A joking name for a place that's very far away.; Example: They live out in Woop Woop.

Y

Yeah, nah: No. (The last word is the one that counts.); Example: “Fancy a swim?” “Yeah, nah, too cold.”

Strine school: the full course

All eight episodes of How to Talk Australians, the comedy series about a language school teaching Aussie English. It’s a send-up of how we talk, and it’s spot on. (Some cheeky language.)

Now you’ve got the lingo, here’s the soundtrack: great Aussie songs.

Know a word we’ve missed, or think a meaning’s off? Let us know.