Teen Slang · Social & friendship

What does “Sis / Sister” mean?

Friendly address among friends, often LGBTQ+ or queer-coded.

Where “Sis / Sister” comes from

Ballroom and queer vocabulary mainstream via TikTok.

Why teens actually say it

Warm friendly address.

What it means for you as a parent

Benign.

How it’s used

  • “Sis, you would not believe what happened.” Warm, gossip-ready opener to a close friend.
  • “Slow down, sis, you’ll be fine.” Affectionate, calming address among friends.

← Browse the full A–Z teen slang glossary (500+ terms)

Contact us Have a question? Need help? Send us a note — we read every message.