“Noice” Definition
“Noice” is just “nice” with an Australian or British accent. It’s slang for “nice” or “awesome,” and it’s typically used as an exclamation at the end of a statement from someone else, to indicate approval. “Noice” is an exaggerated form of “nice” and means mostly the same thing, but “noice” carries more playfulness and greater level of familiarity between the addresser and addressee than “nice” does. The word is commonly used in colloquial speech and digital communication, and it’s pronounced just like it looks—it rhymes with Joyce, voice, or choice. It’s especially prevalent in gaming communities and may be used by anyone, but it’s more frequently linked to young adult men. The comparative and superlative forms of the word are noicer and noicest, respectively.
“Noice” Origins & Usage in Popular Culture
The term likely began as a way to stereotype British and Australian accents. It’s unclear exactly where the term “noice” as a slang word originated, but we know it’s a written representation of how you might say “nice” in an Australian or Cockney or Norfolk British accent. Charles Dickens used the term “noice” to represent a character’s thick English accent in Nicholas Nickleby in 1838: “‘Ye be noice chaps.’” So, the word’s been around for quite some time—but it’s unlikely modern TikTok users grabbed it from this book. The term and exaggerated Australian accents in general may be associated with Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin or Australian sitcom Kath & Kim.
Key and Peele released a skit called Nooice in 2013. In the skit, two dance video hype men fall in love after a dispute about who owns the catchphrase “Noice.” It ended up being one of the most popular Key & Peele skits ever, and while it may not have originated the term “noice,” it likely helped propel the word into popular usage.
A video of author Michael Rosen using the word went viral in 2015. The 2013 video featured English children’s author Rosen reciting his poem “Hot Food,” in which he repeats variations on the line, “I only put a little bit on my fork and I blow [imitates blowing] ‘til it’s cool, just cool, then into the mouth, [imitates eating, smacks lips]: noice.” Unlike in the Key & Peele sketch, which used the term in the slang way we tend to use it now, Rosen said “noice” because…well, he’s English, and that’s how he says the word! But Rosen’s comedic delivery paired with his pronunciation of “noice” caused the video to take off a few years after it was posted, further cementing the popularity of the term.
Andy Samberg’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine character uses “Noice” as a slogan. In 2015, Samberg’s character Jake Peralta took on the term as his catchphrase (in addition to “Toit!”). The word is now commonly associated with the sitcom.
How to Use “Noice” in Your Daily Life
Use it after someone says or does something awesome. It’s a great way to show you approve of what has happened or what’s been said, while also demonstrating some playfulness, confidence, and pizzazz. “I just got to level 14 in my game!” “Noice, noice, noice!” “No homework tonight, class.” “Noice!” “How about pizza for dinner?” “Noice!” *Sees a dog* “Noice!
Why do some British and Australian people say “noice”?
In some varieties of Australian and British English, the long i sound is more rounded. In standard British and American English, the long i vowel sound in words such as “bite,” “tight,” or “nice” is known as a diphthong (that is, two vowel sounds joined in one syllable to form a single sound) and is formed with lips unrounded. But in some Australian and British accents (as well as New York English), the long i sound begins with lips rounded, creating a rounder oi sound, as in moist or coil, or, yes, noice.
Other Fun Slang Terms
Broski: another word for "dude" or "bro" Skibidi: a nonsense slang term that could refer to something good or bad How well do you know Gen Z slang? Try our quiz to find out. You do you: "You should do whatever is best for you, no matter what others think." My Roman Empire: something you can't stop thinking about I'm cooked: "I'm in trouble." Ate and left no crumbs: an expression of praise or admiration Babygirl: a slang term of endearment for cute men—often actors and fictional characters over the age of 25—who are sensitive and reliable, but also a little naive and sweet
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