it’s giving
[ its giv-ing ]
What does it's giving mean?
Want to nail the vibe in a few words? The slang it’s giving is a quick way to call it as you see it. The phrase is used to describe everything from a particularly strong energy to a bold look. It can be used with or without an object after it, depending on how specific you want to get. For example, a person might compliment someone’s outfit by simply responding, “It’s giving.” Or they might get more detailed (and potentially less complimentary) and say, “It’s giving main character in a rom-com.”
Where does it's giving come from?
It’s giving originated in Black and Latine LGBTQ+ ballroom culture, a subculture centered on fashion, dance, performance, and community that developed in New York City during the 1960s and ’70s. The term later expanded to the mainstream on social media around 2020 and 2021. The phrase’s popularity in the modern day is sometimes attributed to influencer Raymond “Rolling Ray” Harper, who said it several times on a 2019 episode of Divorce Court. It’s giving is also frequently said on RuPaul’s Drag Race to describe a contestant’s outfit or aesthetic.
Examples of it’s giving
Replying "It's giving thanks" to every woman's instagram story
It’s giving… 80s Trapper Keeper #TightsTuesday
Who uses it's giving?
The phrase is commonly found on social media sites such as X and Bluesky, where images are included alongside messages to show the vibe. Gen Z and Gen Alpha use it’s giving, but the phrase is widespread enough that you’ll hear other generations say it too. We imagine a Gen Z-er or Alpha might read this article and conclude, “It’s giving unc status.” (Translation: it’s giving older-generation energy.)
NOTE
This is not meant to be a formal definition of it’s giving like most terms we define on Dictionary.com, but is rather an informal word summary that hopefully touches upon the key aspects of the meaning and usage of it’s giving that will help our users expand their word mastery.
