Hater

Hater (noun / modern slang)

(Also heard as: Proper hater, Stop hating, Bitter hater, Hater energy)

Definition: That one person who gets genuinely annoyed when things go well for you. Instead of being happy for someone, they’ll dig for flaws, talk behind your back, or try to ruin the mood purely because they’re bitter.

Where It Comes From: Started in 90s US rap with “player hater”—calling out jealous folk who resented someone’s success. Once songs like “haters gonna hate” got stuck in everyone’s head, the word spread everywhere. The second social media and comment sections took over our lives, it became the go-to label for anyone spreading pure, unprovoked misery online.

How People Actually Use It: Used when your mate suddenly has something snide to say the minute you buy something nice, pass a test, or land a better job. It’s what you call out when someone leaves a petty comment under a holiday photo, or when someone in the group chat tries to pick apart good news for no reason.

Examples in the Wild:

• “Don’t listen to him taking the mick out of your new motor, he’s just a bitter hater.”

  Translation: Ignore his comments, he’s just jealous you got a nice car.

• “Why are you hating on their engagement? Just let them have their moment.”

  Translation: Stop looking for negatives and let them enjoy their good news.

• “You nailed that interview and the haters at work went totally silent.”

  Translation: The people who wanted you to fail had nothing left to say.

Similar Slang: Bitter, Jealous, Killjoy, Buzzkill, Salty, Green-eyed, Troll