What Does Squad Mean?
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Quick Definition
Your close friend group. Your crew.
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Meaning of Squad
"Squad" refers to your close friend group — the people you hang out with regularly and consider your inner circle. "Squad goals" describes an aspirational friend group dynamic that others admire. While the term peaked around 2015-2016 (thanks largely to Taylor Swift's famous "squad"), it's still used to refer to one's core group of friends.
Origin & History
"Squad" meaning friend group became popular in the mid-2010s, heavily influenced by hip-hop culture and Taylor Swift's highly publicized celebrity friend group, which she called her "squad." "Squad goals" became a viral hashtag and phrase around 2015.
Usage Examples
- “Saturday night out with the squad.”
- “My squad always has my back.”
- “Squad goals — they all dressed up as the same movie characters.”
- “The whole squad is meeting at the park at 3.”
- “You mess with one of us, you mess with the whole squad.”
Where Is Squad Used?
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Related Slang Terms
Fam
Close friends or people you consider family. Term of endearment.
Bestie
Best friend. Also used as a friendly term for anyone.
Lit
Exciting, fun, amazing. Used to describe a great time.
Vibe
A feeling, mood, or energy. Can also mean to chill or enjoy something.
Fire
Amazing, excellent, outstanding. Something that's hot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does squad mean?
Squad means your close friend group or crew — the people you regularly hang out with and consider your inner circle.
What are squad goals?
"Squad goals" describes an aspirational friend group dynamic — when a group of friends looks so fun, coordinated, or impressive that others want a friend group like theirs.
Is squad outdated?
"Squad" peaked around 2015-2016 but is still used and understood. It's been somewhat replaced by terms like "the group chat" or just "my friends," but remains recognizable.