slay
To "slay" in modern slang means to do something exceptionally well, to look stunningly attractive, or to succeed with great style. The mental image is of someone moving through a room or a task with such confidence and skill that they figuratively "kill" the competition or leave everyone else speechless. While it originated in LGBTQ+ ballroom culture, it has moved into mainstream casual English. It is mostly used as an intransitive verb for praise ("You slayed!") or applied to someone's appearance ("That outfit is slaying"). It is highly informal and best reserved for friends or social media contexts.
In conversation
Complimenting an outfit
I love your dress!
I love your dress!
Thanks, I feel like I'm really slaying tonight.
Thanks, I feel like I'm really slaying tonight.
Used here to describe personal style and confidence.
Reacting to a performance
Did you see her dance solo?
Did you see her dance solo?
Yes, she absolutely slayed that routine.
Yes, she absolutely slayed that routine.
Used transitively here to indicate total mastery of a task.
Examples
You slayed that presentation!
You slayed that presentation!
She walked into the party and was absolutely slaying in that red gown.
She walked into the party and was absolutely slaying in that red gown.
Despite the high pressure, she slayed the audition and landed the lead role.
Despite the high pressure, she slayed the audition and landed the lead role.
