The Meaning of No Cap: What It Is and How To Use It

Have you ever been confused by the definition of no cap? This article will give you all of the info you need on the slang term no cap, including its definition, origin, examples, and more!

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What does the term no cap mean?

According to Your Tango, Dictionary, Urban Dictionary, and many other online dictionary apps, the term no cap is a slang term that conveys authenticity and truth. People use the phrase no cap to assure others that they are not lying and that the information they have presented is true and honest. Similar slang terms to no cap include FR, which is an acronym that stands for “for real” and FRFR, which is an acronym that stands for “for real for real.” Another similar term is “no lie,” but there are many other ways to emphasize one’s honesty. This is a trending slang term that is popular on social media sites like TikTok and Twitter, and is also frequently used in SMS text messaging.

This internet slang word is very casual and should never be used in formal or professional settings. Be sure to reserve the use of the phrase no cap for casual situations like texting conversations with friends or social media messages. Do not use the term no cap in business emails, negotiations, letters, or other formal scenarios.Many times, people will use the cap emoji to refer to this slang meaning. TikTokers might use this in the comment section to imply that the influencers who posted the video are either telling the truth or are lying, using the cap emoji alone or the word cap. This would imply that they are “capping,” “cappin” or lying, or that they are a “capper” or a liar. 

This term has been used by many famous people including hip-hop stars and rappers Young Thug and Megan Thee Stallion, as well as Cardi B. It has also been used by NBA stars and baseball player Terrell Wade.

What are synonyms and antonyms for no cap?

There are many different words and phrases that are synonyms for the term no cap. Synonyms are words and phrases that have the same meaning as another word or phrase. Synonyms are very useful to know if you need to avoid slang words, such as in formal or professional settings, if you want to expand your vocabulary, or if you simply want to avoid repeating yourself. The below list of synonyms for no cap is provided by Thesaurus.

  • steadily
  • absolutely
  • very
  • constantly
  • righteously
  • de facto
  • really
  • veritably
  • doubtlessly
  • loyally
  • positively
  • accurately
  • honestly
  • in fact
  • in reality
  • actually
  • beyond doubt
  • unequivocally
  • sincerely
  • firmly
  • faithfully
  • beyond question
  • without a doubt
  • correctly
  • devotedly
  • precisely
  • in truth
  • veraciously
  • in actuality
  • staunchly
  • legitimately
  • genuinely
  • definitely
  • rightly
  • exactly
  • authentically
  • truly
  • reliably
  • honorably
  • with devotion
  • with all one’s heart
  • factually
  • confirmedly
  • truthfully
  • surely

There are also many words and phrases that mean the opposite of no cap. The most obvious of these is “cap,” which means a lie or untruth. However, there are also many other antonyms that one can use if they are aiming to avoid slang or if they would simply like to expand their vocabulary. THis list of antonyms is also provided by Thesaurus.

  • distortion
  • deceit
  • disinformation
  • vilification
  • tale
  • mendacity
  • guile
  • aspersion
  • tall story
  • invention
  • fabrication
  • fib
  • falsification
  • lie
  • calumniation
  • hyperbole
  • revilement
  • deception
  • prevarication
  • untruth
  • backbiting
  • myth
  • detraction
  • defamation
  • perjury
  • misstatement
  • evasion
  • forgery
  • dishonesty
  • white lie
  • fiction
  • misrepresentation
  • subterfuge
  • falsehood
  • whopper
  • fraudulence
  • calumny
  • reviling
  • falseness
  • falsity
  • obloquy
  • fable
  • slander
  • libel
  • inaccuracy

How can the term no cap be used in a sentence?

No cap is often used in response to someone questioning the validity or truth of a statement that someone has made. It is used to emphasize the person’s honesty. In the below example, Jason is bragging to Freddie about his AP exam results.

Jason: Took ten AP exams this year, got ten perfect scores. Knocked ‘em outta the park. Harvard here I come, man.

Freddie: No way, man. I call cap.

Jason: No cap, dude, I swear! You wanna see my results? I’ll pull them up right now!

Freddie: Fine, fine. I believe you.

Here, Jason uses no cap to assure Freddie that he is not lying even through the situation may seem incredulous or difficult to believe. Many people can use the phrase no cap to preface an unbelievable statement or to asset their honesty when questioned. The phrase no cap is most commonly seen in casual conversations between friends and is never used in professional or formal settings.

What is the origin of the term no cap?

The terms cap and no cap are closely associated with the Atlanta hip-hop scene. They began to be seen on Twitter in 2012. It is likely that this meaning originated in reference to capped gold teeth, which is distinctive from permanent gold teeth. The caps can be pulled out easily, and are seen as false or fake gold teeth. This therefore made them associated with lies. No cap became popular in 2017 when Young Thug and Future released the song “No Cap.”

Overall, the term no cap means “no lie.” This slang term is used to emphasize truth and to assure others that the information you are presenting is honest and accurate. This term is very popular on social media, as is “cap” which means lies or mistruths. Many of these different slang terms can be seen on different social media sites and in SMS text messages.

Sources:

  1. https://www.thesaurus.com/browse/honestly?s=t
  2. https://www.thesaurus.com/browse/lie?s=t
  3. https://www.dictionary.com/e/slang/no-cap/#:~:text=This%20meaning%20of%20cap%20dates%20back%20to%20the%20early%201900s.&text=These%20terms%20appear%20to%20be,Atlanta%2Darea%20hip%2Dhop.
  4. https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=No%20cap
  5. https://www.bustle.com/life/no-cap-meaning-tiktok-comments
  6. https://www.yourtango.com/2020337881/what-does-cap-no-cap-mean-slang-origins-meanings