it's giving
/ɪts ˈɡɪvɪŋ/
Very CommonIt reminds me of, or it has the energy of something specific.
Can be positive ('it's giving main character') or negative ('it's giving try-hard'). When used without a noun ('it's giving'), it means pure approval of the vibe.
Real-world examples4 examples
| # | Example | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | this outfit is giving 90s supermodel | The outfit has the same energy as a 1990s supermodel look. | tiktok, 2024 |
| 02 | your apartment is giving cozy grandma in the best way | The apartment has a warm, comfortable aesthetic reminiscent of a grandmother's home. | instagram, 2023 |
| 03 | that presentation? it's giving. | The presentation was excellent, full stop. Pure approval. | x, 2024 |
| 04 | this new logo is giving microsoft word clipart | The logo looks cheap and outdated, like old clipart. | x, 2023 |
Use it when
- Describing what energy or vibe something puts off.
- Comparing a look or situation to a specific archetype.
- Giving approval to an overall aesthetic or presentation.
- Gently critiquing something by naming an unflattering vibe.
Do not use it when
- You literally mean someone is giving or donating something.
- You want to describe function rather than aesthetics.
Variations and related forms
It's giving vs serve
it's giving
It's giving describes the vibe or energy something produces.
VS
serve
Serve describes the act of delivering that presentation confidently.
Origin and context
Comes from ballroom and drag culture where 'giving' described what energy a performer was channeling on the runway. Exploded into mainstream use through TikTok fashion and lifestyle commentary in 2021-2022.
- First seen
- early-2020s
- Confidence
- medium
Cite this page
Use this stable URL to reference the entry.
https://slang.fyi/its-givingUpdated: 2026-08-25License: CC BY 4.0