What Does "Lowkey" Mean?
What "Lowkey" Really Means
"Lowkey" is used to express something subtly, secretly, or modestly — as opposed to "highkey" which means openly and intensely. Saying "I lowkey like that song" means you like it but maybe don't want to make a big deal of it, or it's a slight admission. Lowkey can also mean something subtle or understated in nature: "a lowkey dinner" means a calm, quiet meal without fuss. It's widely used in everyday casual conversation and has been mainstream slang for over a decade.
Origin & History
English slang, widespread in US youth culture from early 2010s.
Tone & Context
This slang is generally considered neutral in tone. Very common, widely understood, appropriate in most casual contexts.
Example Sentences
- "I lowkey want to go home but I don't want to be rude."
- "That movie was lowkey one of the best I've seen."
- "They had a lowkey wedding — just family and close friends."
Related Slang
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