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It’s Giving Meaning

It’s giving more than slang—discover the vibe, meaning, and cultural power behind the term shaping social media today.

Social media moves fast, and if you’re not paying attention to new language trends, you can quickly feel out of the loop. One phrase you’ve probably seen everywhere is “it’s giving.”

“It’s giving” is more than just slang. It’s a cultural signal, a way to capture vibes in short bursts, and a tool that brands and creators are using to connect with followers.

Key Insights You Should Know:

More than 3.2 billion TikTok views are tied to the #itsgiving hashtag.
Gen Z mainly uses “it’s giving” as a quick way to describe a feeling, energy, or vibe.
Brands using trending slang like this can increase engagement by up to 25 percent.
Misusing slang can backfire and make you look out of touch.

Let’s break down exactly what “it’s giving” means and how you can use it the right way.

The short version: “it’s giving” is shorthand for “it’s giving the vibe of” or “it resembles.” People use it when something feels like it embodies a certain idea, mood, or energy.

For example:

“This outfit? It’s giving CEO.” That means the clothes have the polished and authoritative vibe of a CEO.
“That party? It’s giving chaos.” Meaning the party felt wild, messy, or out of control.

This phrase works because it captures both the look and the emotional reaction in one short statement.

Why do people say “it’s giving” instead of just describing something?

People say “it’s giving” because it’s faster and more fun than saying “it reminds me of” or “it has the vibe of.” It also makes you sound current.

It keeps content short and catchy, perfect for TikTok or memes.
It adds humor and exaggeration when paired with unexpected comparisons.
It signals that the speaker is up to date with online culture.

In short, saying “it’s giving” is about efficiency and relatability.

The Cultural Roots Behind “It’s Giving”

Like much of internet slang, “it’s giving” didn’t appear out of nowhere. It started in African American Vernacular English (AAVE), where speakers often used variations of the phrase. Over time, it spread through online spaces, especially Black Twitter.

Celebrities and influencers helped push it further into the mainstream. Nicki Minaj famously used “giving” in interviews and social media years ago, which boosted its visibility. By the time TikTok exploded in popularity, Gen Z had adopted the phrase widely.

Pro Note: Because of its origins in AAVE, brands need to be respectful when using this slang. Borrowing cultural language without context can come across as disrespectful or inauthentic. Understanding this background shows respect and prevents tone-deaf marketing.

Is “it’s giving” part of Gen Z slang?

Yes, “it’s giving” has become a staple of Gen Z’s internet language. Similar to terms like “slay” or “no cap,” it’s about expressing quick reactions and feelings. Unlike older forms of slang tied to single meanings, “it’s giving” is flexible. It can be funny, serious, positive, or negative depending on context.

How to Use “It’s Giving” Correctly

You can use “it’s giving” in personal posts, casual conversations, or brand messaging if it fits your audience. The trick is knowing when and how to drop it in naturally.

Good usage examples:

A content creator posting results: “This campaign? It’s giving results.”
A fashion brand showing off styles: “This jacket? It’s giving timeless cool.”
A fitness coach posting workout clips: “These gains? It’s giving strength.”

What not to do:

Say “it’s giving” in every post or sentence. It loses power if overused.
Force it into professional or corporate updates that don’t fit casual online culture.
Misapply it to situations where tone should be serious.

Take Action Box: Try using “it’s giving” in a fun or playful caption this week. Compare how much engagement you get versus a standard post. Even one strong test can tell you if your audience connects with the phrase.

Why “It’s Giving” Matters for Brands and Creators

You might be asking, why does this phrase deserve attention at all? Because language on social media is more than just words. It shapes how brands are seen by followers.

When you use the same slang as your audience, you build trust and relatability. “It’s giving” shows that you’re tuned in to cultural conversations, not just pushing products.

Here’s why it matters:

Relatability: Adds personality to your brand voice.
Virality potential: Language people already share can carry your posts further.
Engagement: Comments often bounce back the same slang, encouraging interaction.

Can using Gen Z slang make a brand look out of touch?

Yes, if you’re careless. Slang can make you relatable or cringe. Timing matters a lot. If you start using “it’s giving” after the trend has peaked, followers may see you as late. If you misuse it, you might look like you’re trying too hard.

The safe path is testing it lightly in a few posts and checking reactions.

Examples of Brands Using “It’s Giving” Successfully

Some brands have nailed the use of this term and earned attention for it.

Duolingo on TikTok: The brand’s mascot once posed with a sassy caption, “It’s giving bilingual baddie.” This worked because it matched Duolingo’s playful tone and TikTok nature.
Fashion retailers: Instagram captions like, “This fall? It’s giving cozy chic,” fit perfectly with style content.
Netflix: The streaming giant often joins slang conversations. For example, playful tweet banter with followers has included “it’s giving” comments when describing shows.

What happens if a brand misuses slang like this?

It can backfire quickly. One fast-food brand overstuffed its tweets with Gen Z slang in a way that felt forced. People mocked it, and the posts were deleted. Misuse not only wastes social effort but can make people question your brand awareness.

Slang evolves fast. What feels trendy today might feel outdated in just a few months. Luckily, there are tools to help you stay ahead.

TikTok trending dashboard: Keep tabs on trending hashtags and comments.
Urban Dictionary and Know Your Meme: Quick references for new terms and their meanings.
Monitoring dashboards: Tools like Sprout Social or Hootsuite let you track changes in trending topics daily.

Expert Note: Consider creating a slang tracker spreadsheet for your team. Write down new terms, define them, and add examples of good and bad use. This way, your brand voice stays consistent across channels.

Common Mistakes in Using “It’s Giving”

Even though the phrase feels simple, brands and individuals often mishandle it. Avoid these common missteps:

Misinterpreting meaning. Not everything “gives.” If you describe something literally instead of how it feels, it won’t make sense.
Using it in serious or sensitive contexts. Slang should never dilute important messages.
Overuse. If you caption every post with it, people will tune you out.

How can marketers avoid slang misuse?

Here are three simple adjustments you can make:

Test slang only in lower-risk campaigns or casual posts.
Check with a Gen Z team member or creator for input.
Remember that your tone is more important than the exact phrase. Sounding authentic matters more than following trends.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is “it’s giving” the same as saying “it looks like”?

Not exactly. “It’s giving” describes the energy of something, not just appearance. For example, an outfit may look expensive, but saying “it’s giving luxury” expresses the mood and feeling it projects.

Who started the saying “it’s giving”?

The phrase has roots in African American Vernacular English and grew mainstream through platforms like Twitter, TikTok, and celebrity use. It does not belong to one individual but to the broader community that shaped how it spread.

Is it still trendy in 2025?

Yes, though its use has shifted. It started as a serious slang phrase but is now often used humorously or even ironically. People parody it as much as they use it seriously, showing its flexibility.

Can older audiences use “it’s giving”?

Yes. While it originates with younger generations, nothing stops older users from embracing it casually. The key is intention. If you use it naturally and sparingly, it can feel fun rather than forced.

What’s the difference between “it’s giving” and “slay”?

“It’s giving” is more about resemblance or overall vibe. “Slay” is more direct praise, meaning something looks amazing or executed perfectly. Both are compliments, but “it’s giving” has more room for interpretation.

Final Thoughts

The phrase “it’s giving” is everywhere because it connects people quickly and makes language more expressive. For you, as a creator, marketer, or someone who just wants to understand what’s happening online, knowing how to use it correctly can make a big difference.

“It’s giving” = vibe, mood, or resemblance.
It comes from AAVE culture and was spread by online communities before reaching the mainstream.
Brands can win big with relatability if they use it in fun, authentic contexts.
Mistakes happen when it’s overused, misapplied, or thrown into serious contexts.
Always test before scaling slang use in your content strategy.

If you want to keep your audience engaged and your brand voice sharp, pay attention to terms like this. It’s not just language, it’s culture in motion. And when you understand culture, you stay relevant.

It’s giving strategy.

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