Dank Meaning, Origin and Examples

Last updated on January 11, 2025 by Isabella Claire

Have you ever heard the term “dank” used in a conversation or seen it pop up online? It’s a word with an interesting evolution, shifting from its original meaning to something that’s become popular in internet slang and modern culture.

In this reference, we’ll explore how this term is used today, its different contexts, and why it has become such a buzzword.

Dank Meaning, Origin and Usage

Key Takeaways

  • “Dank” originally referred to something damp or musty. In modern slang, it is commonly used to describe high-quality or impressive things, especially memes or cannabis. It can also still refer to something damp or unpleasant, like a dank basement.
Dank MeaningPin
Dank Meaning – Created by 7ESL

What Does Dank Mean?

The term “dank” has evolved over time and can have different meanings depending on the context:

  1. Traditional Meaning:
    Originally, “dank” referred to something damp, musty, or unpleasantly wet, like a dank basement or cave.
  2. Modern Slang:
    In contemporary usage, particularly on the internet, “dank” has taken on a more positive connotation, especially in relation to memes and certain aspects of pop culture. It refers to something of high quality, cool, or impressive, often with a humorous or edgy edge. For example, “dank memes” are funny, clever, and often a bit irreverent or offbeat.
  3. Cannabis Slang:
    “Dank” is also commonly used to describe high-quality marijuana, typically with a strong scent and potency.

Origin of this Term

The term “dank” has its origins in Old English and Middle English, where it was used to describe something damp, moist, or musty. It was often applied to describe things like dank caves, cellars, or basements—spaces that were cool, dark, and unpleasantly moist.

Over time, particularly in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the term began to take on new meanings. In the world of cannabis culture, “dank” started to be used to describe high-quality marijuana, likely due to its strong, pungent smell and the “sticky” quality of the buds.

Around the mid-2000s, “dank” also gained popularity in internet culture, particularly in reference to memes. “Dank memes” emerged as a term for memes that were considered particularly funny, clever, or subversive, often with an edge or darker humor.

Usage of Dank

Referring to Something Damp or Musty

  • Use “dank” when describing something that is damp, moist, or unpleasantly wet, like a basement, cave, or cellar.
  • “The old dungeon was so dank, it made me shiver.”

Describing High-Quality Cannabis

  • Use “dank” to refer to high-quality marijuana, especially when it has a strong smell or high potency.
  • “This is some dank weed; it smells amazing!”

Talking About Memes

  • Use “dank” to describe memes or internet content that are clever, edgy, and often have a humorous or dark twist.
  • “That meme is so dank, I can’t stop laughing!”

General Praise for Coolness or Uniqueness

  • In modern slang, you can use “dank” to praise something that is impressive, cool, or of high quality, often in a humorous or edgy way.
  • “That new song is dank! It’s got such a great vibe.”

Describing Unpleasant Spaces (Traditional Meaning)

  • If you’re referring to a damp or poorly ventilated space in a literal sense, “dank” can be used to emphasize its unpleasantness.
  • “The dank smell of the old attic made it hard to breathe.”

Related Terms to Dank

Chronic – A slang term for high-quality cannabis.

Fire – Used to describe something that is excellent, impressive, or of high quality, often used for music, food, or cannabis.

Lit – Another slang term used to describe something exciting, cool, or highly enjoyable.

Dope – Can refer to something cool, amazing, or high-quality. It’s used widely in both positive and cannabis-related contexts.

Savage – Used to describe someone or something that is impressive, bold, or intense.

Killer – A term used to describe something exceptionally good, especially in music, fashion, or skills.

Epic – Often used to describe something grand or impressive, typically used in positive contexts.

Meme – Refers to an image, video, or piece of text that is humorous and spreads rapidly online, often associated with internet culture where “dank memes” are used.

Sticky – In cannabis culture, “sticky” is used to describe weed that is very resinous and of good quality.

Dank Memes – Refers to memes that are deliberately edgy, subversive, or over-the-top, often humorous and a bit dark.

Similar Internet Slang

As I just said, there are a gazillion different slang terms for marijuana. There’s also a ton of slang meaning the same thing as “dank”. And unfortunately, you’ll probably feel weird saying some of them. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

  • Dank-a-dank
  • dankness
  • kush
  • dankage
  • dankalankadingdong
  • dank a doodle
  • dankabis
  • danktastik
  • sticky icky
  • krippy
  • bomb nugget
  • chronic

Examples of Dank

Example 1 using “dank” as “weed”

  • Speaker 1: what up I need some dank
  • Speaker 2: fo sho. Come by in 10. what you want?
  • Speaker 1: quarter
  • Speaker 2: aight be 50
  • Speaker 1: Kewl. Otw

*”Kewl” is the new way to spell “cool”. Same meaning

*”OTW” = “O” (On) + “T” (The) + “W” (Way)

Example 2 using “dank” as “wet or musty”

  • Parent: Will you put those boxes in the basement, please?
  • Kid: I’m not going down there.
  • Parent: Why not? Scared of the boogeyman?
  • Kid: Yeah right. Even the boogeyman wouldn’t live down there. It’s too dank.

Example 3 using “dank” as “Cool or awesome”

  • Speaker 1: Dude you played the new COD?
  • Speaker 2: Yeah. Got it yesterday. It’s dank af
  • Speaker 1: fr I ain’t stopped since I got it
  • Speaker 2: Give me 30 and I’ll team with ya
  • Speaker 1: Hell yeah. We gonna stomp some ass

“COD” = “C” (Call) + “O” (Of) + “D” (Duty)

“AF” = “A” (As) + “F” (F***) or “F” (Freak)

“FR” = “F” (For) + “R” (Real)

Latest posts by Isabella Claire (see all)