I still remember the first time someone commented “you’re such a rat 😂” under a funny TikTok video, and I was honestly confused. My brain went straight to the animal a small mouse running around.
But the video had nothing to do with animals. Everyone was laughing, and it clearly meant something else.
At first, I thought it was just an insult, but after seeing “rat” used in group chats, gaming servers, and even memes, I realized it has a very specific slang meaning.
In online language, rat isn’t about rodents it’s about people and behavior.
Quick Answer:
RAT means “a snitch, traitor, or someone who betrays others.” It’s a casual but negative way of calling someone untrustworthy.
🧠 What Does RAT Mean in Text?
In slang, rat is used to describe someone who:
- Tells secrets
- Reports others
- Betrays friends
- Acts disloyal
It comes from the idea of a rat sneaking around or exposing others. So when someone calls you a “rat,” they mean you snitched or backstabbed.
Example sentence:
“Bro told the teacher everything, he’s a rat 💀” → He snitched.
In short:
RAT = Snitch / Traitor / Backstabber = Someone you can’t trust.
📱 Where Is RAT Commonly Used?
RAT is used mostly in casual and social environments, often jokingly or seriously.
Common platforms:
- 💬 Text messages
- 🎮 Gaming chats
- 💻 Discord servers
- 📸 TikTok comments
- 🐦 Twitter / X
- 🧑🤝🧑 Group chats
Tone & Style:
- Casual
- Often negative
- Sometimes joking
- Never formal
You usually won’t see “rat” used like this in:
- Work emails
- Professional talks
- Academic writing
- Formal discussions
Examples of RAT in Conversation
Here are realistic chat examples:
- Example 1 (snitch):
A: “Who told them our plan?”
B: “must be that rat 😒” - Example 2 (joking):
A: “i told mom about the party”
B: “you rat 😂” - Example 3 (gaming):
A: “he revealed our hiding spot”
B: “total rat move 💀” - Example 4 (friend group):
A: “don’t trust him”
B: “yeah he’s a rat fr” - Example 5 (sarcasm):
A: “i only told one person”
B: “and that rat told everyone 😭” - Example 6 (serious):
A: “he switched sides”
B: “rat behavior”
🕓 When to Use and When Not to Use RAT
✅ When to Use RAT
- Talking about betrayal
- Joking with close friends
- Gaming chats
- Memes and slang
❌ When Not to Use RAT
- Formal conversations
- Talking to elders
- Professional settings
- Serious emotional talks
Comparison Table
| Context | Example Phrase | Why It Works |
| Friend Chat | “you rat 😂” | Casual joke |
| Gaming | “rat move 💀” | Slang style |
| Work Chat | “He shared confidential info” | Professional |
| “This was inappropriate” | Formal | |
| Family Talk | “He told on us” | Polite |
Similar Slang Words or Alternatives
| Slang | Meaning | When to Use |
| Snitch | Someone who tells | Casual |
| Traitor | Disloyal person | Serious |
| Backstabber | Betrays secretly | Drama |
| Snake | Fake person | Youth slang |
| Fed | Someone reporting | Street slang |
| Opp | Enemy | Urban slang |
FAQs❓
Is rat rude?
Yes, it can be rude. It’s an insult in most cases.
Is rat always serious?
No, sometimes it’s used jokingly.
Is rat Gen Z slang?
Yes, very common with Gen Z.
Can rat mean friend?
No, it usually has a negative meaning.
Is rat used worldwide?
Yes, mostly in English-speaking online communities.
Is rat formal?
Not at all. It’s pure slang.
Final Thoughts
In slang, rat means a snitch or traitor someone who tells secrets or betrays others. It’s a negative term but often used jokingly among friends.
People use “rat” to:
- Call out betrayal
- Tease friends
- Describe untrustworthy behavior
- Add drama to stories
So when someone says:
“don’t trust him, he’s a rat 🐀”
They really mean:
“He’s not loyal, be careful.”
Perfect for memes, gaming, and casual chats — just avoid using it in professional or sensitive situations.
I’m Jane Austen, the author behind slanngmean.com. I’m a slang expert, and I share clear, easy-to-understand meanings and examples for every slang term.
