trash-talk
|trash-talk|
🇺🇸
/ˈtræʃ.tɔk/
🇬🇧
/ˈtræʃ.tɔːk/
insulting or provocative speech
Etymology
'trash-talk' is a modern compound formed in English from 'trash' + 'talk'; 'trash' (originally meaning 'rubbish') combined with 'talk' (speech) to create a slang term for insulting or disparaging speech.
'trash' as a word for rubbish dates from Middle English and earlier; over time 'trash' gained figurative senses of 'worthless' or 'to disparage.' In the 20th century, English speakers combined 'trash' with 'talk' to form the compound 'trash-talk,' used especially in sports and informal contexts.
Initially, 'trash' referred to literal rubbish; through figurative use meaning 'worthless' or 'to disparage,' the compound 'trash-talk' evolved to mean 'speak disparagingly or insultingly' rather than anything to do with physical trash.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
insulting, boastful, or provocative language intended to intimidate, belittle, or provoke someone (often used in sports or competitive contexts).
There was a lot of trash-talk between the teams before the match.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Verb 1
to speak to someone in a deliberately insulting, boastful, or provocative way in order to intimidate, demean, or provoke them.
He kept trash-talking the other players throughout the game.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 1
describing speech or behavior characterized by trash-talk (often used attributively, e.g., a trash-talking opponent).
They prepared for a trash-talking rival who liked to get under people's skin.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/12/18 17:48