Slang dictionary · English internet slang · English internet slang
What does no cap mean?
Also written: nocap, cap, 🧢, no 🧢
In short
No cap means "no lie" or "for real". You add it to show you are not exaggerating: "that was the best burger I've ever had, no cap". It comes from Black American slang, where to cap means to lie, brag or exaggerate, and it is closely linked to Atlanta hip-hop; the 2017 track "No Cap" by Young Thug and Future helped spread it. Saying "cap" or posting a blue cap emoji means the opposite: that's a lie.
Where no cap comes from
In Black slang, to cap about something has meant to brag, exaggerate or lie, a sense Dictionary.com dates back to the early 1900s. No cap therefore means without the lie. It appears on Twitter by at least 2012 and is closely associated with Atlanta hip-hop. Young Thug and Future's 2017 track "No Cap" made it far more widely known.
How to use it
- "No cap, this is the best pizza in town."
- "I ran five miles this morning, no cap."
- "He says he's 6'2". Cap." (that's a lie)
- "You finished the whole thing in one night? Cap 🧢."
- "That's cap and you know it."
Cap, no cap and similar words
| Phrase | Meaning | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| no cap | no lie, for real | insists it's true |
| cap / 🧢 | that's a lie | calls out someone else |
| fr / for real | seriously | more general emphasis |
| deadass | completely serious | stronger, more regional |
Tone
No cap is casual and upbeat, and like "literally" it is often used for emphasis rather than as a sworn statement. It is widely used by teens and young adults; older speakers using it can sound like they are trying too hard. Keep it out of formal writing.
FAQ
What does cap mean in slang?
A lie or exaggeration. Saying "cap" or posting 🧢 means you think someone is lying.
What does the blue cap emoji mean?
It stands for "cap", a lie. "No 🧢" means no lie.
Where did no cap come from?
From Black American slang, where to cap means to lie or brag, and Atlanta hip-hop; Young Thug and Future's 2017 track "No Cap" helped spread it.