Definition of a gangster

• also: gangsta. originally meant gang member, or one who represented a gangster lifestyle, later became a term to describe things that a gangster would be into, like, do or say, and eventually became gentrified and "smurfized" to mean just about anything the speaker thinks is cool, neat, awesome, groovy, gnarly, etc., originally popularized by west coast (U.S.A.) street culture, especially Los Angeles, and brought into the mainstream by Gangsta Rap music & HipHop culture. N.W.A. was one of the first groups to popularize the term outside of L.A. gang culture; gangsta/gangster also describes an assertive attitude towards getting shit done.

  Now, that's gangsta!

  That fool ain't no gangster.

  Last edited on Apr 25 2020. Submitted by JeloRocSki on Apr 25 2020.

adjective

• tight or fun.

  That party was gangsta, dog.

  Last edited on Jun 15 2013. Submitted by Jazzy from Los Angeles, CA, USA on Jan 22 2002.

• cool, awesome, excellent.

  Damn boy, that beat is gangster.

  Oh, your shoes look gangsta dawg.

  That car looks gangsta sittin' on 24 inch dubs.

  That chicken was gangsta!

  • See more words with the same meaning: good, okay, cool, awesome, fun.

  Last edited on Nov 16 2011. Submitted by Vandul from Miami, FL, USA on Apr 08 2002.

• with hip-hop fashions, e.g. gold-capped teeth, wearing matching shoes, shirt, hat, and do-rag.

  That nigga gots mad gangsta braids.

  Last edited on Oct 25 2011. Submitted by Jimmy D. from Queens Village, NY, USA on May 29 2002.

• tough and feared.

  Oh shit, watch out, this nigga is gangsta.

  Last edited on Oct 25 2011. Submitted by Jimmy D. from Queens Village, NY, USA on May 29 2002.

• appealing to the eye.

  Hey, these ceramic tiles are gangsta.

  Yo that whip is mad gangster.

  Last edited on Oct 25 2011. Submitted by Jimmy D. from Queens Village, NY, USA on May 29 2002.

• very entertaining.

  That show was gangstar.

  Last edited on Mar 19 2014. Submitted by Freddy F. from CA 91423, USA on Dec 18 2002.

• gang-related.

  Last edited on Mar 19 2014. Submitted by Joe B. from Columbus, OH, USA on Dec 30 2005.

• ghetto.

  Last edited on Mar 19 2014. Submitted by Joe B. from Columbus, OH, USA on Dec 30 2005.

• cool or nice, generally appealing.

  That outfit is so gangsta.

  Last edited on Oct 25 2011. Submitted by Anonymous on Oct 08 2006.

• any cold-blooded act of violence committed by someone for the purpose of either revenge, spite, or as a threat.

  It was gangsta how he slapped the shit out of that dude when he didn't tell him what he wanted to know.

  A "gangsta" (gangster) is usually a killer, a thug or a hoodlum who has no regard for the law or even other people's lives. Someone who takes over by force. Something that is or someone who is "gangsta" (gangster) poses a threat to people's lives.

  He does whatever he wants - he's gangsta with it.

  Last edited on Mar 19 2014. Submitted by The Last Don on Aug 30 2011.

noun

• a thug.

  Last edited on Nov 16 2011. Submitted by Jazzy from Los Angeles, CA, USA on Jan 22 2002.

• a thug or someone who is highly looked upon.

  Damn it feels good to be a gangster.

  Last edited on Mar 19 2014. Submitted by Mark B. from Eau Claire, WI, USA on Sep 24 2002.

• a male friend. Also "G".

  Person A: What's up, gangsta?
  
  Person B: Not much, G.

  Last edited on Oct 25 2011. Submitted by Russell L. from New York, NY, USA on Sep 17 2004.

• a member of an urban street gang.

  Last edited on Oct 25 2011. Submitted by Russell L. from New York, NY, USA on Sep 17 2004.