🇨🇦 Toronto Slang Dictionary

ACC The former abbreviation for the Air Canada Centre, now known as Scotiabank Arena, home to the Maple Leafs and Raptors. actually Used to correct a misconception, emphasize a point, or introduce a surprising fact. Often used to mean "in reality" or "surprisingly". ahlie From Jamaican Patois, meaning 'I know, right?' or 'isn't that the truth?' used for emphasis or agreement. apartment hunting The process of searching for an apartment to rent or buy. Argos The common nickname for the Toronto Argonauts, a professional Canadian football team (CFL). arts Refers to the Faculty of Arts at a university (e.g., 'Arts and Science'). Sometimes used to refer to a student studying arts. bare A lot, many, very. basement apartment A self-contained rental unit located in the basement of a house, common in Toronto. basically Used to summarize, simplify, or introduce the most important point, or to express resignation. beauty An exclamation of approval or satisfaction; something excellent or desirable. BeaverTails A Canadian flat, oval-shaped fried dough pastry, often topped with sweet condiments like cinnamon sugar or Nutella. Beer Store A private retail chain in Ontario specializing in the sale of beer, often owned by a consortium of major brewers. bill A banknote (paper money) of any denomination. Billy Bishop Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ), a smaller airport on the Toronto Islands primarily for regional flights. Bloor Bloor Street, a major east-west arterial road in Toronto, known for its shopping districts. Blue Jays The Toronto Blue Jays, a professional baseball team, and the only Canadian team in Major League Baseball (MLB). BMO Field A soccer-specific stadium located in Exhibition Place, Toronto, primarily home to Toronto FC and the Toronto Argonauts. boots Sturdy footwear covering the foot and ankle, often extending up the leg, common in Canadian winters. bouncer A security guard employed at a club, bar, or event to control entry and maintain order. Brampton A large city northwest of Toronto, part of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), known for its rapid growth and large South Asian diaspora. buck A colloquial term for one dollar, often used for American or general dollars. bucktee A derogatory term for someone who is desperate, broke, or looks disheveled/unkept. bugging Acting crazy, irrational, or annoying; messing around. busker A street performer who entertains for tips, common in public spaces like Kensington Market or along the Harbourfront. Caesars A popular Canadian cocktail made with vodka, Clamato juice (a blend of tomato and clam broth), Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce, typically garnished with a celery stick. Canada Goose A high-end Canadian brand known for its expensive winter parkas. card A debit or credit card used for electronic payments. Caribana An annual Caribbean carnival festival held in Toronto, known for its parade and cultural events. cash Money in the form of coins or banknotes, as opposed to checks or electronic payments. cheesed To be annoyed, irritated, or angry. chesterfield A sofa or couch. This term is considered somewhat old-fashioned in modern Canadian English. clubbing The activity of going out to dance clubs, especially at night. CN Tower The iconic communication and observation tower in downtown Toronto, a prominent landmark. community garden A shared green space where local residents cultivate plants, often found in urban neighbourhoods. condo A privately owned apartment within a building, popular in urban areas like Toronto. construction The ongoing process of building and developing new structures, a constant presence in Toronto. corner store A small, independently owned convenience store, typically located on a street corner, selling snacks, drinks, newspapers, and basic household items. cottage country A region in Ontario, typically north of Toronto, known for its many lakes and vacation properties (cottages), popular for weekend getaways. cottage time Time spent at a cottage, a common recreational activity in Ontario, especially during summer. crows Large, black, intelligent birds often seen and heard in urban environments, including Toronto. Danforth A vibrant street and neighborhood in Toronto, famously known as "Greektown," offering numerous Greek restaurants, bakeries, and cultural festivals. dece Decent, good, cool, acceptable. dispensary A retail store specifically licensed to sell cannabis products. Distillery District A historic neighbourhood in Toronto, known for its Victorian-era industrial architecture, cobblestone streets, and independent shops, cafes, and galleries. dive bar A casual, unpretentious, often older bar known for its low prices, local clientele, and sometimes rundown appearance. double-double A popular coffee order at Tim Hortons consisting of two creams and two sugars. drip A term used to describe a person's fashionable outfit or overall sense of style, implying it's very cool or 'saucy'. dun know It's undeniable / You know what I mean? DVP Don Valley Parkway, a major municipal expressway in Toronto, known for its traffic congestion. Eaton Centre A large, multi-level indoor shopping mall located in downtown Toronto, one of Canada's busiest. eh A filler word used at the end of a sentence to confirm understanding, seek agreement, or express surprise, similar to "right?" or "huh?". Etobicoke A large, diverse borough in the western part of Toronto, known for its residential areas, parks, and waterfront access. facts An exclamation used to affirm something as true or to express agreement; 'that's true.' fam Friend, close acquaintance (short for family). farmers market A public market where farmers sell produce, meats, baked goods, and other products directly to consumers. fit Short for 'outfit,' referring to a person's coordinated clothing ensemble, often used to praise a stylish look. food festival An event celebrating various types of cuisine, often featuring local vendors, food trucks, and culinary demonstrations. footsteps The sound of someone walking, a frequent ambient noise in a bustling city like Toronto. freezing rain Rain that freezes upon contact with surfaces, creating a dangerous layer of ice. fronting Pretending to be something you're not; putting on a false image. Gardiner Frederick G. Gardiner Expressway, a major municipal expressway in Toronto, running along the waterfront. Gardiner Expressway A major elevated municipal expressway running along the lakeshore in downtown Toronto. give'er To put maximum effort into something, often used encouragingly. gloves Coverings for the hands, with separate sheaths for each finger and the thumb, essential for cold weather. GO transit Government of Ontario Transit, a regional public transit system serving the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. graffiti alley A famous laneway in Toronto known for its vibrant and constantly changing street art and murals. gridlock A severe form of traffic congestion where a road or entire area becomes completely blocked, preventing any movement. guestlist A list of invited guests who are granted free or discounted entry to an event, club, or party. gyal From Jamaican Patois, meaning 'girl' or 'woman,' often used affectionately or to refer to a female friend. happy hour A period of time, usually in the late afternoon or early evening, when a bar or restaurant offers discounted drinks and appetizers. Harbourfront A cultural and recreational area along the waterfront in downtown Toronto, featuring parks, art installations, and performance venues. heated Very angry, upset, or in an intense argument. High Park A large urban park in Toronto's west end, known for its diverse flora and fauna, walking trails, and Cherry Blossoms. highkey Openly, overtly, or intensely; the opposite of lowkey. Hogtown A historical, sometimes derogatory, nickname for Toronto, referring to its past as a major meat-packing centre and perceived conservative nature. honking The sound made by a vehicle's horn, often used to alert others or express frustration in traffic. humidity The amount of moisture or water vapor in the air, making hot weather feel even stickier and more uncomfortable. jerk chicken A traditional Jamaican dish where chicken is marinated in a spicy jerk spice mixture and then slow-cooked, often grilled or smoked. Kensington An eclectic and bohemian neighborhood in downtown Toronto, known for its vibrant market, vintage shops, unique cafes, and diverse community. Kensington Market A vibrant and eclectic bohemian neighbourhood in downtown Toronto, known for its vintage shops, independent boutiques, food vendors, and unique cultural atmosphere. King West An upscale and trendy neighborhood in downtown Toronto, known for its high-rise condos, fine dining restaurants, and nightlife. lake breeze A cooling wind that blows inland from Lake Ontario, especially noticeable on hot summer days. landlord The owner of a property who rents it out to others. LCBO Liquor Control Board of Ontario, the provincial government agency that retails and distributes alcoholic beverages in Ontario. Leafs The common nickname for the Toronto Maple Leafs, a professional ice hockey team. lease A legal contract outlining the terms and conditions between a landlord and tenant for renting a property. line 1 The Yonge-University subway line, Toronto's busiest subway route. line 2 The Bloor-Danforth subway line, running east-west across Toronto. links Contact information, particularly social media handles or phone numbers. local pop-up A temporary retail store, restaurant, or event space, often set up by local entrepreneurs for a limited time. long weekend A weekend that includes an extra public holiday, making it three or more days long. loonie The Canadian one-dollar coin, named for the loon bird depicted on it. loons Plural of loonie; Canadian one-dollar coins. lounge A stylish bar or a relaxed social space, often with comfortable seating, where drinks and light food are served. lowkey Discreet, subtle, or kept secret; also used as an adverb to mean "somewhat" or "secretly". mandem From Jamaican Patois/UK slang, meaning 'my male friends,' 'the guys,' or a group of male associates. mans I / me (referring to oneself), or a group of friends/people. marved Extremely hungry or starving. mickey A 375 ml (13 oz) bottle of liquor, typically spirits, in Canada. nize it Be quiet, calm down, shut up. no cap No lie, no exaggeration; meaning something is completely true. Derived from hip-hop culture. no doubt Definitely; certainly; expressing strong agreement or certainty. no word of a lie An emphatic phrase used to assure someone that what is being said is completely true and not an exaggeration. North York A large, diverse borough in the northern part of Toronto, known for its business districts, shopping centers, and residential neighborhoods. Nuit Blanche An annual all-night contemporary art event in Toronto, featuring installations and performances. out of pocket Behaving inappropriately, unacceptably, or disrespectfully. out of the woods No longer in danger or difficulty. paper Colloquial term for money, specifically banknotes. park hang A casual gathering or social event with friends in a public park, often involving food, drinks, and relaxation. parkway A type of highway or arterial road, often scenic or with limited access. In Toronto, it often refers to the Don Valley Parkway (DVP) specifically. patio An outdoor dining or drinking area, often attached to a restaurant or bar, popular in warmer weather. patio season The period of warm weather, typically spring to fall, when outdoor dining and drinking at restaurants and bars becomes popular. patty A savory pastry filled with various fillings, most commonly spiced ground beef, popular in Jamaican cuisine and widely available in Toronto. peameal bacon A type of lean, unsmoked bacon made from boneless pork loin, rolled in ground peameal (cornmeal today), often served on a bun. Pearson Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Canada's busiest airport. period Used emphatically at the end of a statement to indicate that there is nothing more to be said or argued about; end of discussion. pigeons Common urban birds, often seen congregating in public spaces like squares and parks in Toronto. pop Carbonated soft drink; soda. pop-up A temporary retail space, restaurant, or event that 'pops up' for a limited time, often to test new concepts or build hype. poutine A classic French-Canadian dish consisting of french fries topped with cheese curds and smothered in hot gravy. pregame To drink alcohol or socialize at home or a less expensive location before going out to a main event, party, or club. Pride Toronto's annual Pride Month celebration, featuring a large parade and street festival celebrating LGBTQ+ communities. promoter An individual or company responsible for organizing, advertising, and attracting attendees to events, clubs, or concerts. Queen West A trendy and artistic neighborhood in downtown Toronto, known for its boutiques, music venues, art galleries, and vibrant nightlife. Raptors The common nickname for the Toronto Raptors, a professional basketball team, and the only Canadian team in the NBA. real talk A request for or an assertion of honest, serious, or straightforward conversation. rent control Government regulations that limit the amount by which landlords can increase rent. road trip A journey by car over a long distance, often for pleasure. Rogers Centre A multi-purpose stadium in downtown Toronto with a retractable roof, primarily home to the Toronto Blue Jays. Formerly known as SkyDome. roommate A person who shares a room or an apartment with others. run To give someone a ride, or to transport something/someone. runner A person who goes to a store (like a liquor store) to buy alcohol for others. SBA An abbreviation for Scotiabank Arena, a multi-purpose indoor arena home to the Maple Leafs and Raptors. Scarborough A large, diverse borough in the eastern part of Toronto, known for its multicultural communities and natural landmarks like the Bluffs. scarf A piece of fabric worn around the neck, head, or shoulders for warmth, fashion, or religious reasons. scenic route A longer, more picturesque way to reach a destination. Scotiabank A major Canadian bank and the naming rights sponsor for the Scotiabank Arena in downtown Toronto. Scotiabank Arena A multi-purpose arena in downtown Toronto, home to the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors, formerly known as Air Canada Centre. shawarma A Middle Eastern dish of marinated meat (lamb, chicken, beef) cooked on a vertical spit, thinly sliced, and often served in a pita wrap with vegetables and sauce. shovelling The act of clearing snow using a shovel, typically from sidewalks, driveways, or cars after a snowfall. sick Excellent; very good; impressive. side hustle A secondary job or income-generating activity, usually done in addition to one's main employment. sirens Loud, piercing warning sounds from emergency vehicles like police cars, ambulances, or fire trucks. slush Partially melted snow or ice, often found on roads and sidewalks, making conditions messy. sneakers Athletic shoes designed for sports or casual wear, typically with rubber soles, also known as 'runners' in Canada. snowstorm A severe weather event characterized by heavy snowfall and strong winds, often causing significant disruption. speakeasy A bar that is hidden or not overtly advertised, often with a theme reminiscent of Prohibition-era establishments. standard Common, normal, expected, or satisfactory. Often used as an affirmation. street meat A colloquial term for hot dogs, sausages, and other grilled meats sold by street vendors, especially popular late-night in downtown Toronto. streetcar A public transit vehicle that runs on rails embedded in city streets, common in Toronto. streetcar rumble The distinctive low, vibrating sound made by Toronto's streetcars as they move along their tracks. streetwear A distinct style of casual clothing that originated from Californian surf and skate culture, embracing comfort and urban fashion. styll A variant of "still" used to emphasize a statement or express agreement, similar to "for real" or "definitely". sublet To rent out a property, or part of a property, that one is currently renting to another person. subway Toronto's underground rapid transit system. subway chime The distinctive sound signal played on Toronto's subway trains to indicate closing doors or an approaching station. super A superintendent, the person responsible for the maintenance and management of an apartment building. sweet Good, great, awesome, excellent. T-dot An older, informal nickname for Toronto, often used in hip-hop culture. TFC The common abbreviation for Toronto FC, a professional soccer (football) team in Major League Soccer (MLS). the 6ix A popular nickname for Toronto, popularized by Drake, referring to the city's 416/647 area codes and six former municipalities. The Annex A historic and affluent residential neighborhood in downtown Toronto, known for its Victorian and Edwardian architecture, tree-lined streets, and proximity to the University of Toronto. The Six A popular nickname for the city of Toronto, popularized by Drake, referring to its 416/647/437 area codes and former boroughs. thrift To shop at second-hand stores for used items, often to save money or find unique pieces; also, the act of being economical. TIFF The Toronto International Film Festival, one of the world's largest public film festivals. Timmy's A common, informal nickname for the Canadian coffee and donut chain Tim Hortons. toboggan A knitted winter hat, often synonymous with 'toque' in Canada, particularly in older usage. toonie The Canadian two-dollar coin. toonies Plural of toonie; Canadian two-dollar coins. toque A knitted winter hat, often pronounced 'tuke'. This is the more common modern Canadian term. Toronto Island A chain of small islands offshore from mainland Toronto, accessible by ferry, offering parks, beaches, and an amusement park. townhouse A multi-story home that shares one or more walls with adjacent properties, often in a row. true An exclamation expressing agreement or acknowledgement of a statement's truth. TTC Toronto Transit Commission (public transit system). TTC delay A common occurrence where Toronto's public transit (TTC) experiences a disruption or delay. two-four A case of 24 bottles or cans of beer. Union Station Toronto's main intermodal transportation hub, serving GO Transit, VIA Rail, UP Express, and the TTC subway and streetcars. UP Express The Union Pearson Express, an airport rail link connecting Union Station to Pearson International Airport. valid Legitimate, reasonable, or acceptable; used to express agreement or approval of an idea or statement. vintage Referring to items, especially clothing or accessories, that are from a past era, typically at least 20 years old, valued for their quality, style, or nostalgic appeal. wallahi Arabic for 'I swear to God,' used as an exclamation of truth or emphasis. waste man A useless person, someone who is lazy or unproductive. wilding Behaving in an uncontrolled, crazy, or rowdy manner; acting out. wind chill The perceived decrease in air temperature felt by the body on exposed skin due to the flow of air. winter is coming A common expression, often referencing Game of Thrones, used to denote the approach of Toronto's notoriously long and cold winter season. Yonge Yonge Street, a major arterial road in Toronto, historically considered the longest street in the world. yute From Jamaican Patois, meaning 'youth,' typically referring to a young person or a young male.