Slang dictionary
main character energy
[ meyn kar-ik-ter en-er-jee ]
What does main character energy mean?
Main character energy is a characteristic that describes how a person prioritizes themselves and their own happiness. Main character energy is typically associated with high self-confidence, self-respect, and self-love.
The phrase main character energy was inspired by the slang term main character and is closely related to it. Essentially, a person who has main character energy acts, or supposedly acts, like they are the main character of a story. In practice, this usually means they act confidently and prioritize their own needs and wants. A person is typically said to “have” or “give off” main character energy as if it was an aura.
Main character energy is almost always a positive term when a person uses it to describe themselves or a person they admire. Sometimes, main character energy is used jokingly or critically to describe someone as being vain, self-centered, and selfish.
Example: Everyone watches Dave work out at the gym because of his serious main character energy.
Where does main character energy come from?
Main character energy was inspired by the slang term main character, which originated on social media. Both terms use the phrase main character to refer to the leading character of a story. Main character energy refers to a person who thinks or acts as though they are the main character in their own story. The energy in main character energy refers to a figurative aura or radiance of confidence that such a person has.
The main character concept emerged on social media during 2020. The phrase main character energy emerged around this same time to describe confident, assertive people.
Fast drivers (like myself) have main character energy sorry I don’t make the rules
— Ang Correia (@Ang_Corr) June 29, 2020
I wish I had main character energy but I don't even have fan favorite side character energy.
— 🧁Byrd🧁 (@MioCrowcaws) June 17, 2020
Driving with the windows down during the sunset and listening to sad indie music is main character energy and unparalleled
— Matthew Reinecke (@Matt_Reinecke) July 12, 2020
Examples of main character energy
Who uses main character energy?
Main character energy is used on social media to describe people who are, or seem to be, extremely self-confident.
I got main character energy rn, no one can stop me 💪🏻
— Alex Rodriguez (@JeezAlex12) April 13, 2023
I feel like all of Beyoncé’s dancers dance with main character energy
— Zora Iman Crews 🙆🏾♀️ (@zora_iman) September 18, 2023
airports are a fascinating place because everyone there has main character energy
— michael a (@MichaelaEsquire) September 14, 2023
Note
This is not meant to be a formal definition of main character energy 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 main character energy that will help our users expand their word mastery.