shook
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To be shocked, surprised, or bothered. Became prominent in hip-hop starting in the 1990s, when it began to be used as a standalone adjective for uncontrollable emotions. One famous example is Mobb Deep's 1995 single "Shook Ones, Part II".
Register: informalEra: 2020s
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
• Gen Z / internet register
Sources & notes
Adapted from Wikipedia “Glossary of 2020s slang” (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30). US Gen Z / internet usage.
Common questions
What does “shook” mean?
To be shocked, surprised, or bothered. Became prominent in hip-hop starting in the 1990s, when it began to be used as a standalone adjective for uncontrollable emotions. One famous example is Mobb Deep's 1995 single "Shook Ones, Part II".
Is “shook” formal or informal?
shook is generally informal.