A sudden, irrational feeling of disgust toward a romantic partner, triggered by something small they did.
In [Generation Z](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_Z "Generation Z") slang, _**the ick**_ is used to describe a feeling of disgust that arises towards a love interest, usually after a specific, often trivial,…
You think it's about them, but is 'The Ick' actually about you?** **Brittany is joined by [B.A.
A sudden, irrational feeling of disgust toward a romantic partner, triggered by something small they did. Once you catch the ick, it's almost impossible to shake. Gained mainstream traction via the 2017 UK show "Love Island." Specific examples are notoriously specific: "the way his backpack bounced when he ran for the bus."
the ick means A sudden, irrational feeling of disgust toward a romantic partner, triggered by something small they did. It's mostly used on TikTok and short-form video. It's casual and generally safe with friends and online. It's standard online vocabulary; nothing inherently concerning about hearing it.
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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The words defining how Gen Z and TikTok talk right now — from rizz and aura to skibidi, delulu, and the ick. Updated as fast as the trends move.
See all Gen Z & TikTok slang on Slangora.
(informal, North America, regional) icky, unpleasant, distasteful.
Slang meaning extremely disgusting or revolting — a playful intensification of 'icky' using the '-tastic' suffix that implies something has the quality to an extreme or remarkable degree. The '-tastic' formation (fantastic, bootylicious-adjacent constructions) is typically used ironically or comedically. 'Icktastic' is firmly in the register of exaggerated reaction, used when something is so gross it almost becomes funny.
(slang) Very disgusting or icky.
(AU, colloquial) Yucky, icky, repulsive.
Here's what scientists say about why we react this way and whether the feeling is reversible.** ### [Shots - Health News](https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/) # Did your date give you 'the ick'?
"He called his mother ‘mummy' on a FaceTime. Instant ick, no recovery."
the ick means A sudden, irrational feeling of disgust toward a romantic partner, triggered by something small they did. It's mostly used on TikTok and short-form video. It's casual and generally safe with friends and online. It's standard online vocabulary; nothing inherently concerning about hearing it.
"the ick" is slang. It means: A sudden, irrational feeling of disgust toward a romantic partner, triggered by something small they did. Register: casual. Use it in: casual conversation and online posts. Avoid in: formal writing and professional emails.
“In [Generation Z](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_Z "Generation Z") slang, _**the ick**_ is used to describe a feeling of disgust that arises towards a love interest, usually after a specific, often trivial, behavior.”
“You think it's about them, but is 'The Ick' actually about you?** **Brittany is joined by [B.A.”
“Here's what scientists say about why we react this way and whether the feeling is reversible.** ### [Shots - Health News](https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/) # Did your date give you 'the ick'?”
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An iykyk fail is the cringe moment when you deploy an inside reference in the wrong room — and it lands in total silence. You made the joke, dropped the reference, or used the term assuming the person opposite you was in the circle. They were not. The failure is specific: it's not that the joke was bad; it's that it was precisely calibrated for an audience that wasn't there. The iykyk fail is a social miscalibration — you misjudged who knew what — and it's usually followed by a rapid, quiet retreat and the mental note to read the room better.