What does “Frontin'” mean?
The phrase "frontin'" means 'pretending to be skilled to impress others.' When someone is "frontin'", they are putting on a facade of being more talented or capable than they actually are in order to impress or gain admiration from others.
How is the expression used in real life?
Example
Stop frontin' and admit that you don't know how to fix the car.
Example
He's always frontin' about his accomplishments, but nobody believes him.
Example
She's just frontin' to seem cool in front of her friends.
What context can I use each expression in?
- 1Calling out someone's insincerity or false claims
Stop frontin' and admit that you don't know how to fix the car.
He's always frontin' about his accomplishments, but nobody believes him.
- 2Describing someone's behavior of pretending or putting on a show
She's just frontin' to seem cool in front of her friends.
He's always frontin' about his wealth, but he's actually broke.
- 3Expressing disbelief or skepticism towards someone's claims
You say you can run a marathon in under 3 hours? You're frontin'!
She claims to have met a celebrity, but I think she's just frontin'.
Good things to know:
What is the origin of the phrase?
"Frontin'" originated in African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and gained popularity in hip-hop culture in the 1990s. It is derived from the word 'front', which means to put on a false appearance or act in a way that is not genuine.
Can the phrase be used on its own?
While "frontin'" is typically used in a sentence, it can also be used on its own to convey the idea of pretending or putting on a show. For example, if someone is bragging about their abilities, you might respond with "Stop frontin'!" to call out their insincerity.
Is the phrase offensive?
The phrase "frontin'" is not offensive in itself. It is a slang term used to describe someone pretending to be skilled or knowledgeable to impress others.
Audience for the phrase
"Frontin'" is commonly used by younger generations, especially millennials and Gen Z. It is popular among those who are familiar with hip-hop culture, urban slang, and African American Vernacular English (AAVE).
Is the phrase specific to an accent or country?
"Frontin'" is associated with New York, US, where it originated in the hip-hop scene. However, it has spread beyond the region and is used in various English-speaking areas influenced by hip-hop culture.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- pretending
- posing
- faking
- acting
- putting on a show
Antonyms
- being genuine
- being honest
- being real
- being authentic
- being true
