Street voices
Haley
·
United States
"That party was low-key boring. Low-key means, like, a little bit, slightly, or secretly, or, like, subtly. Just, like, a little under-the-cover kind of vibes. I'm American and I'm from the United States."
What it means
Low-key means kind of quietly, slightly, or in a low-volume honest way. You use it when you're admitting something without making it a whole parade. It can mean a little, secretly, or just with your cool face still on while the truth sneaks out.
Usage examples
"That party was low-key dead, so we grabbed fries, dipped early, and honestly had a better night sitting in the car chatting nonsense."
"I'm low-key excited for tonight, I'm just not trying to act like a golden retriever about it."
"She low-key wants him back, but she's doing that whole 'I'm fine' theatre production."
"I low-key needed that cancelation, I'm tired in my soul and my face was starting to glitch."
"He's acting chill but he's low-key mad you didn't invite him."
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Where it comes from
Low-key comes from African American Vernacular English and took off in US slang before spreading wider online and in everyday speech. It grows out of the older adjective phrase low key, meaning restrained or understated, then became an adverb too, for saying something softly, subtly, or half-confession style.
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