What Does “Cracked” Mean in Slang?

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Everything you need to know about this TikTok & gaming term

Co-authored by Glenn Carreau Reviewed by Candace Gasper

Last Updated: August 28, 2025 Fact Checked

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“Cracked” Slang Meaning

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Other Meanings

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Origins

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Using “Cracked”

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Expressions

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So you’ve been scrolling around TikTok and stumbled across the slang term “cracked”—but what does it mean? You might be surprised! There are a few different definitions for “cracked,” although, as a slang term, it most often means being incredibly skilled at something (mainly video games). In this article, we’ll cover all the meanings of “cracked,” explain the slang’s origin, and teach you how to use it on social media (with examples). Without further ado, let’s take a closer look at this colourful piece of internet slang!

A Quick Slang Definition of “Cracked”

On TikTok, social media, and among gamers, “cracked” is slang for being really great at something. It mainly refers to being exceptionally skilled at a video game, and it first gained popularity among Fortnite players. Outside of that, it’s also slang for “crazy” (although this usage can be offensive).

Section 1 of 5:

What is the slang meaning of “cracked” on TikTok?

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“Cracked” is slang for being skilled or really great at something. Although this could apply to many skills—being great at painting, basketball, and everything in between—it’s usually used in gaming culture. That means “cracked” mainly refers to an amazing gamer. When someone is “cracked,” they’re more than good; they’re a pro, godlike, insanely skilled!^{[1]
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- “Did you see me take out that boss? I’m so cracked!!”
- “Have you seen Anna’s Fortnite skills? She’s so cracked in that game!”
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“Cracked” can also describe something especially cool or awesome. Just as you can say that someone is “cracked,” you can also describe an object or piece of media as “cracked,” too. You might say something is “cracked” if you really like it and want to gush about how incredible it is. For example:
- “The new Apex Legends update is cracked!”
- “Every version of Super Smash Bros is cracked, tbh!”

Section 2 of 5:

Other Meanings of “Cracked”

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“Cracked” also means “crazy,” although this usage can be offensive. You may also see someone use “cracked” to say that something is crazy, or describe another person as acting irrationally. Just be aware that, when referring to someone with a mental health condition, “cracked” can be very offensive (since people with mental health conditions are absolutely not “crazy” or “cracked”).^{[2]
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- For example, you could say, "That idea is so cracked" to say that it seems irrational, or "That toy looks cracked" to say that it looks weird.
- However, don’t call someone “cracked” if they have a mental health condition (or at all, to avoid upsetting anyone).
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“Cracked” also refers to something broken, with visible cracks on it. This is the regular old dictionary definition of cracked (rather than slang), describing anything with cracks on or under its surface. For example, if your phone falls on the ground and the screen gets damaged, you might say your phone screen is “cracked.”
- “Uh-oh, I cracked my dad’s favorite dish.”
- “I love kintsugi. It’s so cool seeing that something can be cracked, but not broken.”
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“Cracking” means beautiful or very good in British slang. Though the wording is slightly different, “cracking” can be a complementary term. It’s a synonym for someone gorgeous, fine, elegant, or handsome—or, on the other hand, something that’s just very excellent. You can use it to compliment someone you think is good-looking, or comment on something you really like! For example:
- “Wow! What a cracking sandwich!”
- “Your outfit is so gorgeous. You look absolutely cracking!”

Section 3 of 5:

Where does the slang term “cracked” come from?

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It’s unclear when “cracked” was first used, but it gained popularity in 2019. Its usage as slang for “crazy” dates back much longer, but it really only gained popularity on TikTok and among gamers as a term for being incredibly skilled at something around mid-2019. An Upcomer article from July 2019 even lists “cracked” as an example of Fortnite terminology!
- In that article, the definition of cracked is, “The description used when a player is very good at the game or makes a great play.”^{[3]
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- According to Urban Dictionary, it’s also possible that “cracked” was first used by Apex Legends players to indicate that their shields were broken, but the term was later misinterpreted to mean “very good at the game” (and took off from there).
  - However, this origin story isn’t confirmed—“cracked” can’t be definitively traced back to a single source.
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“Cracked” is still used among gamers and gaming communities. If you see the term “cracked” out in the wild (on TikTok or social media), odds are it’s got something to do with video games! For instance, gamers sometimes post clips of themselves making some impressive move in a game with a caption describing their skills as “cracked.”
- One TikTok video even became a viral meme; it features a boy trying to hype up his friend, saying he’s “cracked at Fortnite.”

Section 4 of 5:

How to Use “Cracked” as Slang

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Describe yourself as “cracked” if you’re great at something. Are you proud of your mad skills as a gamer (or your skills in any other hobby or pastime)? Use “cracked” to drop a brag or two on social media—or among friends—when you’re really feeling yourself. For example:^{[4]
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- “I took this vid of my last Overwatch match just to prove how CRACKED I am!!”
- I’m so cracked in World of Warcraft, it’s not even funny!”
- When using “cracked” as slang, keep in mind that people are most likely to understand when you’re making a gaming-related comment. You can use it outside of that, too, but it’s most popular in gaming culture.
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Tell friends they’re “cracked” when they show off their talents. That’s right, “cracked” isn’t just something you can use to describe yourself—use it to tell other people that they’re amazing at something, too. Congratulate a friend on their top-notch gamer skills (or any other skills, for that matter).^{[5]
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- “Woah, that’s your high score? You’re cracked!”
- “I can’t believe what an insanely good cook you are! This food is cracked!”

Section 5 of 5:

Common Expressions Using “Crack”

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“Get cracking” is an idiom meaning to act quickly. To “get cracking” means to hurry up, move fast, or start doing something swiftly. So, when you need to get something done (or go somewhere) urgently, you might say you have to “get cracking.”^{[6]
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- Example: “Come on! We have to get cracking, or we’ll be late for the party!”
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To “crack up” means to burst into laughter. “Crack up” is a phrase describing loud, rip-roaring laughter. Saying someone “cracked up” implies they started laughing suddenly, and that they laughed a lot.^{[7]
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- Example: “His comment totally caught me off guard. I cracked up in front of everyone!”
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Something sub-par can be described as “not all it’s cracked up to be.” Saying that something “isn’t all it’s cracked up to be” basically means it didn’t live up to the hype, or that it was disappointing despite your high expectations.
- Example: “The new album got so much hype, but it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.”