Lit
Etymology
The excitement sense grew out of African American Vernacular English and hip-hop, becoming mainstream in the 2010s. It likely extends an older, separate slang sense of "lit" meaning intoxicated — "lit up" for drunk is documented from the early 20th century.
adjective · /LIT/
Exciting, excellent, or full of energy — as of a party, event, or atmosphere.
What it names
It names a scene at peak energy — loud, alive, everyone into it. It’s the word for when an event is fully delivering on its promise.
Example
The show was completely lit — the crowd didn’t stop moving for two hours.
Related idea
Milder than sibling unhinged; lit is high-energy fun, where unhinged tips into chaos.
adjective · /LIT/
Intoxicated; drunk or high.
What it names
The older, separate sense — being visibly under the influence.
Example
By the second round everyone was pretty lit.