If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok lately, you’ve probably seen creators “mewing” — pressing their tongues to the roof of their mouths while posing for the camera. But what does mewing actually mean in slang? The viral term, now a core part of Gen Z and “looksmaxxing” culture, has taken over platforms like TikTok, Reddit, and Urban Dictionary. In fact, searches for “what does mewing mean slang TikTok” skyrocketed by over 240% in early 2025, proving it’s more than just a passing trend. From jawline exercises to social media memes, “mewing” has evolved into both a physical practice and a digital gesture that says a lot about online beauty standards and Gen Z humor.
What Does Mewing Mean in Slang?
In slang, “mewing” means pressing your tongue against the roof of your mouth to make your jawline appear sharper. It’s often done as a joke or meme — a quick way to “pose” for the camera and show off confidence or attractiveness. While originally rooted in a real orthodontic exercise, the mewing slang meaning has shifted into a symbol of self-improvement, humor, and “rizz” culture.
In conversations, when someone says “I’m mewing,” it can mean they’re:
- Trying to look attractive for a photo or video
- Making fun of people obsessed with their appearance
- Using the “mewing gesture” as a meme or flirty signal
On TikTok and Reddit, users often caption videos with “me when I start mewing for real” or “caught me mewing mid-class,” adding to the comedic, self-aware tone of the trend.
The Origin of Mewing
The term “mewing” comes from Dr. John Mew, a British orthodontist who in the 1970s suggested that tongue posture could shape facial structure. Decades later, his son, Dr. Mike Mew, popularized the method on YouTube. By 2018, the concept had spread online, but it wasn’t until 2023–2025 that it exploded on TikTok, especially among Gen Z audiences.
According to Urban Dictionary, “mewing” now refers to both an attempt to look attractive and a meme about self-perception. It’s a mix of real orthodontic advice and exaggerated internet humor — a perfect recipe for TikTok virality.
Mewing on TikTok: The Viral Slang Trend
The phrase “what does mewing mean slang TikTok” became one of the platform’s top search queries in 2024. On TikTok, mewing isn’t just about jawlines — it’s about “looksmaxxing,” or maximizing your physical appeal.
Common TikTok uses:
- #MewingChallenge: Users post before-and-after clips showing “results” after weeks of tongue exercises.
- #CaughtMewing: People jokingly record others caught mewing mid-video or mid-conversation.
- #MewingRizz: Mewing paired with “rizz” — a Gen Z slang term meaning charisma or flirting energy.
Creators often combine mewing with “rizz”, implying that mastering your facial expression boosts your confidence. So when someone says “He’s mewing with rizz,” it’s slang for someone looking effortlessly attractive while doing the mewing pose.
Mewing Meaning in Urban Dictionary
On Urban Dictionary, the most liked definition of mewing describes it as:
“Pressing your tongue against the roof of your mouth to make your jawline pop — either to look good or make fun of people trying too hard.”
It’s often labeled as both serious (when referring to jawline training) and ironic (when used as a meme). Some definitions even call it “a Gen Z ritual of self-obsession and humor blended together.”
In other words, mewing’s slang meaning has evolved from orthodontics to online identity — a perfect reflection of how Gen Z turns everything into a meme.
Mewing Meaning in Reddit and Gen Z Culture
On Reddit, discussions about mewing range from fitness advice to satire threads mocking the obsession with facial aesthetics. Subreddits like r/Looksmaxxing or r/TikTokCringe often feature debates about whether mewing actually works or if it’s just “copium” — a humorous way to describe false hope for instant beauty.
For Gen Z, mewing has become part of a larger internet language:
- It signals self-awareness (“I know I’m trying too hard, but it’s funny”).
- It’s part of “digital body language” — subtle gestures used online to express attitude.
- It connects to “mewing meme” culture, where creators over-exaggerate jawline poses for comedic effect.
Mewing Gesture Meaning
When someone does the mewing gesture — placing a finger to their lips and pretending to sculpt their jawline — it usually means:
- They’re jokingly ignoring someone (“shhh, I’m mewing”).
- They’re playfully showing confidence or “rizz.”
- They’re referencing the trend without taking it too seriously.
In short, the gesture has become a Gen Z nonverbal meme — part of the same humor ecosystem that includes “sigma faces,” “NPC walks,” and “aura checks.”
Mewing as an Exercise
Though the mewing exercise claims to improve jaw definition, medical experts have mixed opinions. Some orthodontists argue that tongue posture can slightly affect appearance over time, while others warn it may cause tension or jaw issues if overdone.
As a trend, mewing is harmless if done casually. As a lifestyle obsession, it can create unrealistic expectations about beauty — a common pattern in viral TikTok aesthetics like “jawline challenges” and “facial symmetry filters.”
Mewing Meme Meaning
The mewing meme has taken over TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts. It often features:
- People doing dramatic tongue poses
- Edits of jawline “transformations” with funny captions
- Sigma males and rizz lords mewing mid-interview
These memes exaggerate how serious people take appearance — turning self-improvement into humor. It’s Gen Z’s way of saying: We care about looks, but we’ll laugh about it too.
Mewing and “Rizz” — The Flirty Combo
One reason “what does mewing mean rizz” trends online is because of how the two ideas blend.
- Rizz = charisma, smooth energy.
- Mewing = physical appeal or confidence pose.
Together, “mewing with rizz” represents someone who looks effortlessly attractive and confident. It’s often used in captions like:
“Caught him mewing with ultimate rizz 😤”
“She’s mewing in 4K with main character energy.”
This playful combination reinforces that mewing isn’t just physical — it’s social performance.
Why Mewing Is So Popular (and Controversial)
- Visual results: Even temporary posture changes can make your jawline appear sharper in selfies.
- Algorithm love: TikTok rewards visual transformation videos.
- Easy to try: It’s free, quick, and doesn’t require filters or editing.
- Community validation: Entire subcultures on Reddit and TikTok discuss “progress pics.”
- Meme potential: Even those who mock it keep the trend alive through humor.
But as orthodontists note, “mewing doesn’t restructure bones.” It’s more about self-perception than science.
FAQs About Mewing Slang (2025)
Q1: What does mewing mean in slang TikTok?
It means pressing your tongue to the roof of your mouth to appear more attractive, often used as a meme or confidence pose.
Q2: What does mewing mean on Reddit?
It’s discussed as both a beauty trick and a meme — half science, half satire.
Q3: What does mewing mean rizz?
It combines physical appearance (mewing) with charisma (rizz) — symbolizing confident attractiveness.
Q4: Does mewing actually work?
Not scientifically proven. It may temporarily improve posture or jaw definition, but not bone structure.
Q5: What is the mewing gesture slang meaning?
It’s a tongue-to-mouth pose or “shhh” motion used to look cool or funny in videos.
Q6: What is the mewing meme?
It’s a humorous exaggeration of jawline obsession and “sigma” confidence culture.
Final Thoughts
Mewing started as a tongue posture technique but has transformed into a Gen Z symbol of beauty, irony, and digital self-awareness. On TikTok and Urban Dictionary, the mewing slang meaning now blends humor, confidence, and meme culture — where people both chase perfection and mock it at the same time. Whether you’re genuinely trying to “looksmaxx” or just joking around, mewing shows how even small gestures can shape big online trends.
David is a spiritual writer and symbolism enthusiast who explores the deeper meanings behind dreams, signs, and nature’s messages. With a calm and reflective voice, he helps readers connect everyday experiences with higher wisdom, guiding them toward balance, awareness, and inner peace.
