trash talk

American  

[trash tawk] / ˈtræʃ ˌtɔk /

noun

1. disparaging or boastful language.

   Both sides exchanged trash talk throughout the game.

   Trash talk is banned on this forum.

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verb (used with or without object)

1. to use disparaging or boastful language to or about (someone).

   The site was used anonymously by high school bullies to publicly trash-talk, harass, and embarrass their targets.

   Maybe you should stop trash talking and check your facts!

Other Word Forms

• trash-talker noun

Etymology

Origin of trash talk

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

They are surprisingly self-aware and, with prompting, willing to trash talk the competition.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

Then I caught up with them and we shared a few words—no trash talk, just checking in with each other.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

And yes, later that night, Laurie and Jaclyn gather to trash talk about this development, which Kate overhears.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 2, 2025

His on-field trash talk crossed lines and prompted apologies on more than one occasion.

From BBC • Nov. 27, 2024

These words coming out of any other boy’s mouth would sound like hyperbole or plain old trash talk, but Boy21 is dead serious.

From "Boy21" by Matthew Quick