/flɛks/
Definition:
In Nigerian Pidgin, FLEX means to show off, to enjoy oneself, or to have fun in a lavish or carefree way. It is commonly used among youths to describe moments of enjoyment, parties, spending money, or flaunting wealth and lifestyle.
- Synonyms: “Show off”, “Flaunt”, “Ball”, “Groove”
- Antonyms: “Hide”, “Restrain”, “Conserve”, “Hold back”
Hear how native speakers pronounce FLEX in the video below.
Usage Examples:
- Informal: “See as Segun dey FLEX with him new iPhone 15!” (Look as Segun is showing off his new iPhone 15!)
- Formal: “Social media has increased FLEX culture among Nigerian youths.”
- Idiomatic: “If you get am, FLEX am – but no overdo!” (If you have it, flaunt it but don’t get carried away!)
Cultural Context:
Origin:
The term FLEX originally comes from the English verb meaning “to bend” or “to contract muscles.” In urban slang, especially within American hip-hop and Black culture, “flex” evolved to mean “to flaunt” or “show off wealth or status.”
In Nigeria, the word was absorbed into Pidgin English, where it took on a more multi-dimensional meaning—not just to show off, but also to have fun, enjoy life, or celebrate luxuriously. This version of “FLEX” became popular through music, street culture, and social media, and it’s now a staple in the vocabulary of Nigerian youth and pop culture.
Regional Usage:
FLEX is widely used across Nigeria, especially in urban areas like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. It is highly popular among young people, music lovers, and nightlife enthusiasts.
The word appears frequently in Afrobeats songs, comedy skits, and online banter. For instance, you’ll hear lyrics like “we go FLEX till morning” or “every Friday na FLEXING”. It’s a word that cuts across social classes and regions, spoken by both street-level and elite Nigerians.
Who do you sabi wey sabi FLEX pass? Use the word “FLEX” to form your own sentence and drop am for the comment section! You don FLEX recently? Tell us how e go!