jank
(video games) Game mechanics of unconventional or flawed design or implementation, and the experience of such mechanics, as to ruin or disrupt play, or break immersion; e.g.
Seen in the wild
OG or Remaster? I hear the Remaster cleaned up the jank follower AI, but I haven't played it to be sure.
They just released a player customisable update, but there's barely any options to customize a character and they also added animations for EVERYTHING. Things we didn't ask for pretty much. And the animations make the…
What I want to know is if the deck is human tribal, or if it is a combo deck that cheats out Eldrazi titans out of the left field. The themed jank & the "I win out of nowhere" decks match poorly. Because they are de…
even this time it was mostly down to the jank of the camera 😭 but got through it this time after about 5 attempts !! a complete relief for sure
Phasmo is one of those games that the jank usually just adds to it. Didn't realize an update had come out though, I need to reinstall that.
Definitions
(video games) Game mechanics of unconventional or flawed design or implementation, and the experience of such mechanics, as to ruin or disrupt play, or break immersion; e.g. bugs and glitches.
Comments
(by extension) A game, or games, with such mechanics.
Comments
(computing) Perceptible pause in the smooth rendering of a software application's user interface due to slow operations or poor interface design.
Jank means: Perceptible pause in the smooth rendering of a software application's user interface due to slow operations or poor interface design.. 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.
jank means: Perceptible pause in the smooth rendering of a software application's user interface due to slow operations or poor interface design.. Register: neutral, standard English. 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.
“OG or Remaster? I hear the Remaster cleaned up the jank follower AI, but I haven't played it to be sure.”
— Bluesky· May 2026“They just released a player customisable update, but there's barely any options to customize a character and they also added animations for EVERYTHING. Things we didn't ask for pretty much. And the animations make the game look much more jank than it did before.”
— Bluesky· May 2026“What I want to know is if the deck is human tribal, or if it is a combo deck that cheats out Eldrazi titans out of the left field. The themed jank & the "I win out of nowhere" decks match poorly. Because they are defined by different perspectives for different formats.”
— Bluesky· May 2026“even this time it was mostly down to the jank of the camera 😭 but got through it this time after about 5 attempts !! a complete relief for sure”
— Bluesky· May 2026“Phasmo is one of those games that the jank usually just adds to it. Didn't realize an update had come out though, I need to reinstall that.”
— Bluesky· May 2026
Comments
Have a better definition?
Add your own interpretation of "jank".
🎮About Gaming slang
Gaming slang across genres — from OP, nerf, and buff to carry, clutch, jungle, and wombo combo. The lingo of esports, streamers, and ranked lobbies everywhere.
See all Gaming slang on Slangora.
Tags
Other words near "jank" (J)
Browse all slang words starting with J.
Related terms
People also read
Semantically related
- janked70%
(slang) Not in proper order; messed up, janky.
- Eurojank65%
(video games, slang) Video games from Europe (especially Eastern Europe) with ambitious concepts but lacking in execution and sometimes exhibiting unintended glitches.
- gameplay59%
The actual moment-to-moment interactive experience of a video game, as opposed to cutscenes or graphics.