Slang dossier

Brainrot

Pronounced BRAYN-rot

Absurd or repetitive internet material, or the feeling of being excessively absorbed in it. People often use the term affectionately about memes they enjoy; it is not a medical diagnosis.

In a sentence

How it sounds

Illustrative examples

  • “My feed is all brainrot today.”
  • “We spent lunch quoting the same brainrot audio.”

Where teens use it

The habitat

Short-video feeds, fandom jokes, gaming chats and commentary about online habits.

Parent briefing

What parents should know

Do not assume that enjoying nonsense means a teen is unwell. Ask whether scrolling is crowding out sleep, school or activities they value. The actual content and amount of use matter more than the label.

Keep decoding

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