(Australia, NZ, slang) Non-functional, broken, exhausted, dead.
(Australia, NZ, slang) Non-functional, broken, exhausted, dead.
Cactus means: Non-functional, broken, exhausted, dead.. It is mainly Australian English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
cactus means: Non-functional, broken, exhausted, dead.. Register: very informal, slang. Suitable only for casual conversation, chat and social media. Do not use in business, academic or news writing. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.
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Cactus means: Non-functional, broken, exhausted, dead.. It is mainly Australian English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.
See all Regional & Other slang on Slangora.
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be still like a cactus 🌵 m.youtube.com/shorts/P2xYN... Video by Penny The Ginger Cat m.youtube.com/@pennythegin...
Any succulent plant with a thick fleshy stem bearing spines but no leaves, such as euphorbs.
“🇺🇦 #NowPlaying on #KEXP's #VarietyMix Terror/Cactus: 🎵 Transmisión Clandestina #Terror #Cactus ▶️ 🪄 Automagic 🔊 show 📻 playlist on Spotify ▶️ Song on #Spotify:”
““Transmisión Clandestina” Terror/Cactus — Colapso (2026)”
“be still like a cactus 🌵 m.youtube.com/shorts/P2xYN... Video by Penny The Ginger Cat m.youtube.com/@pennythegin...”
“Cactus Cowboy - #pixelart #art #cowboy”
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(botany) Any member of the family , a family of flowering New World succulent plants suited to a hot, semi-desert climate.
““Transmisión Clandestina” Terror / Cactus — Colapso (2026)”
“Desert duo cactus ring mention in 2026 #trafficlife #lifeseries #grian #goodtimeswithscar”
“Cactus flowers 2025 Echinopsis oxygona”
“disrupting the cactus industry #indiegames #indiegame #gaming”
“🇺🇦 #NowPlaying on #KEXP's #VarietyMix Terror / Cactus: 🎵 Transmisión Clandestina #Terror #Cactus ▶️ 🪄 Automagic 🔊 show 📻 playlist on Spotify ▶️ Song on #Spotify:”
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