Girlboss

Girlboss (noun / US Slang)

(Also heard as: Gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss, Girl boss, Boss babe)

Definition:

A girlboss is an ambitious, confident woman who runs her own career or business. Today it is often used ironically, for someone who takes empowerment very seriously.

Where Girlboss Comes From:

It was popularised by Sophia Amoruso’s 2014 book #Girlboss. It boomed in the 2010s as a business-feminism buzzword, then turned into a joke with the meme “gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss”.

How People Actually Use Girlboss:

Used sincerely to praise a successful woman, or sarcastically about corporate-style “empowerment”: “she’s really leaning into the girlboss thing”.

Is Girlboss Rude?

Not rude, but the sarcastic version can be a dig, so tone matters.

Examples in the Wild:

• “She started her company at 23. Total girlboss.”Meaning: She is a driven, successful businesswoman.
• “Gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss.”Meaning: A famous meme joking about the trend.
• “Her whole LinkedIn is girlboss energy.”Meaning: It’s very hustle-focused.

Similar Slang:

Slay, Baddie, Gatekeep, Gaslighting

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