Slay
Etymology
Long-standing slang in Black and Latino LGBTQ ballroom and drag culture, where to "slay" meant to look or perform stunningly. It moved into the mainstream through drag culture and pop music — Beyoncé’s "Formation" (2016) opens with "I slay" — and became a general expression of praise online.
verb · /SLAY/
To do something exceptionally well — and, as an exclamation, a burst of admiration for someone who has.
What it names
A word for excellence delivered with flair, and a way to cheer it on. It turns competence into an event worth applauding, whether the achievement is an outfit, a performance, or simply getting through a hard day with style.
Example
You wrote the whole report overnight and it’s flawless? Slay.
Related idea
Broader than nailed it, which marks a single successful attempt; slay can praise a whole vibe, look, or way of being.