Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
leetspeak
Noun
/liːtspiːk/
Definition
Leetspeak is an alternative alphabet used primarily on the internet, where letters are often replaced with similar-looking numbers or symbols.
Examples
- In leetspeak, ‘hacker’ may be written as ‘h4x0r’.
- People often use leetspeak in online gaming forums to communicate covertly.
- The phrase ‘for the win’ is commonly abbreviated as ‘ftw’ in leetspeak.
Meaning
The term leetspeak comes from the word ‘elite’ and is used to convey a sense of exclusivity or identity within certain online communities.
Synonyms
- Leet
- 1337 speak
- Geek speak