sick burn

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

A particularly cutting insult.

Register: slang

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

“Might I say a word or two?” “Yes, absolutely, Baron. Please vacate the microphone for the baron. Please welcome a man who knows quite a lot about... sick burns.” [rim shots, laughter] “Baron Afanas.”

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “sick burn” mean?

A particularly cutting insult.

Is “sick burn” formal or informal?

sick burn is generally slang.