vibe
/vaɪb/- 1.
The general feeling or atmosphere that a person, place, or situation gives off. It describes an emotional impression you get — good or bad — without a clear reason.
- This rooftop café has such a relaxed, happy vibe.
- I got a weird vibe from him at the interview.
- The whole city has a creative, energetic vibe.
- 2.
Emotional signals or feelings that seem to come from a person or place. Usually used in the plural. Often used in the phrase 'good vibes' to wish someone positivity.
- She always sends good vibes to everyone around her.
- I'm getting bad vibes from this whole situation.
- Good vibes only — leave your stress at the door!
To relax and enjoy yourself, often with music or in good company. Also means to connect strongly with something — a song, a person, or an idea. Often used as 'vibing.'
- We spent the evening just vibing to old Bollywood tracks.
- I'm really vibing with this new author's writing style.
- The whole team was vibing at the Friday hangout.
Adinary Nuance
Traditional dictionaries still treat "vibe" mainly as an informal noun meaning atmosphere, but modern usage has stretched it in two big directions. First, the verb form ("vibing," "we vibed") is now extremely common — meaning to enjoy oneself, to relax, or to feel a deep connection with something — and older references barely acknowledge it. Second, "vibe" can now function almost like a standalone reaction word: saying "that's a vibe" means something perfectly captures a mood or feeling, with no further explanation needed. In Indian English especially, phrases like "good vibes only" and "what's the vibe?" have become everyday social expressions, far beyond the word's hippie-era roots.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- cảm giác
- Spanish
- onda
- Chinese
- 氛围
- Japanese
- ノリ
- Korean
- 분위기
Etymology
Shortened from "vibration," first used in 1960s American counterculture slang to mean the emotional energy one senses from people or places. The verb form and its current pop-culture dominance emerged through African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and exploded globally via social media and streaming music in the 2010s–2020s.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Can 'vibe' be used as a verb in correct English?
- Yes, in modern informal English, 'vibe' is widely used as a verb. 'We were vibing all night' or 'I really vibe with her energy' are both natural and understood globally. Just avoid this form in formal writing.
- What does 'vibe check' mean?
- A 'vibe check' is a quick, informal test of someone's mood or energy — checking whether a person (or a situation) feels good or off. It started as internet slang around 2019 and is now used casually in everyday speech too.
- Is 'vibe' formal or informal?
- 'Vibe' is very informal and slang-level. It fits perfectly in casual conversation, social media, and texting. In professional emails, reports, or academic writing, use 'atmosphere,' 'tone,' or 'mood' instead.
- What's the difference between 'vibe' and 'mood'?
- 'Mood' is more neutral and general — it can describe a personal emotional state or a room's feel. 'Vibe' specifically emphasizes the energy or feeling a person, place, or thing seems to radiate outward to others. 'Vibe' also carries a stronger sense of cool or aesthetic appeal in current usage.