Street voices
Michael
·
United States
"Giving means that something is providing vibes associated with a certain mood or feeling. For example, I love your dress. It is giving spring."
What it means
Means something is putting out a strong vibe, look, or energy that feels like a specific mood, aesthetic, or type of person. You use it when the resemblance is loud, even if nobody says it straight. It blew up online in style and pop culture chat, and now it’s everywhere. If a fit screams soft floral energy, it’s giving spring.
Usage examples
"That pastel jacket with the white sneakers is giving rich auntie at brunch, and honestly nobody in this group is mad about it."
"With the straw hat and linen suit, his whole outfit was giving summer wedding guest, and the photos proved it."
"That little silk scarf with the huge sunglasses is giving retired heiress on vacation, and she's absolutely eating it up."
"The lighting in this café is giving first date that turns into an accidental three hour yap session."
"That fuzzy green cardigan with the tiny clips is giving art teacher who lowkey changed your life."
Got something to say?
Edit, fix or tell us something. We review it and, if it is true, you will see it applied with your name on it.
Where it comes from
This comes from the longer phrase it's giving, which grew out of Black and Latinx ballroom and drag speech in the US. People used it to call out the exact energy, category, or fantasy something was serving. Online slang clipped it down to giving, then fashion, stan culture, and everyday chat ran off with it.
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
Your vote counts
Is this real street talk or have we lost the plot? Cast your vote.