Overused Words

What is a word you feel that too many people use?

In daily conversations and texts, certain words have become so overused that they’ve lost much of their original meaning.

While I agree that language is constantly evolving, new words added to the dictionary and the way we use words can shift over time, it’s worth pausing to consider the words that are overused all the time.

Like

This is my pet peeve. The word “like” has infiltrated casual conversation as a filler. It’s often used to fill pauses or soften statements: “I was, like, so tired.” While it might help conversations flow more easily, overusing “like” can make speech sound uncertain or less confident. And if someone uses it too often it starts to irritate me.

Literally

“Literally” is a word that’s supposed to mean something is happening exactly as described, without exaggeration or metaphor. However, it’s often used for emphasis in situations that aren’t literal at all. For example, “I was literally dying of laughter.” Were you really? Of course not.

Awesome

I’m guilty of this one too. Once reserved for things that truly inspired awe, “awesome” is now used to describe anything impressive or even just pleasant. A good meal, a fun weekend, or a nice gesture might be called “awesome,” but does that really do justice to the word? When everything is awesome, nothing really is.

Honestly

Starting statements with “honestly” has become a habit for many, but it can imply that what was said before wasn’t entirely honest. While it’s meant to reassure, overuse can lead to the opposite effect, making it seem like honesty is the exception rather than the rule.

Slay

The original meaning of the word “slay” is to kill or destroy something, often in a violent way. For example, “The knight slayed the dragon.” In modern slang, however, “slay” has a different meaning. It’s used to describe someone who is doing something exceptionally well, particularly in terms of appearance, performance, or confidence. For example, if someone is dressed to impress and looking amazing, you might say, “You’re slaying!” This usage is especially common in fashion and pop culture. And while it is a positive way to use the word, it just irritates me a bit.

Cap/No Cap, Flex, Lit, Woke

The same thing can be said about these slang words too. While language naturally evolves, the overuse of trendy slang comes across as shallow or lacking in depth. When these words are used excessively or inappropriately, they can make conversations sound superficial and reduce the richness of language to a handful of overhyped expressions. This reliance on trendy slang can make serious discussions seem trivial and can detract from the clarity and effectiveness of communication, making it sound less intelligent and less thoughtful. And overusing them gives the impression of trying too hard to be cool, rather than communicating clearly or meaningfully.

These are just a few words that I can think of that I feel are overused and used incorrectly. Are there any others you would add?