If you are new to playing Fortnite or any other battle royale game, it can be difficult to understand the language and terms used by your teammates. However, by familiarizing yourself with the Fortnite game jargon, you can quickly get a head start and understand the conversations better as you continue to play.
Common Fortnite Terms and Their Meanings
90s
The 90s technique in Fortnite is a building strategy that is known for its speed in reaching players who have an advantage in high-ground positioning. It is considered to be an advanced method of building and requires practice to master. To perform the 90s, you need to quickly place two walls, a floor, and a ramp, allowing you to smoothly make 90-degree turns as you ascend.
Aimbot
During its initial period, Fortnite faced several issues with hackers. However, nowadays, encountering cheaters in the game has become highly unlikely. Aimbot, a well-known type of cheat in shooter games, is often associated with players who possess exceptional accuracy in their shots.
ADS
ADS, which stands for aim down sight, refers to the action of aiming through the sights of a weapon in Fortnite. This can be achieved by right-clicking with your mouse. Utilizing ADS can enhance your accuracy while using various weapons in the game.
Big Pot
In the Fortnite gaming community, the term “big pot” is frequently used to refer to the Rare Shield Potion. This potion is highly sought after as it provides players with an additional +
Box
In Fortnite, a “box” refers to a defensive structure constructed by players using four walls, a roof, and a floor. This building technique, also known as “boxing up,” serves as the initial defense strategy for players when facing intense pressure from opponents.
Box Fight
During certain battles in Fortnite, players may collectively choose to construct boxes in various directions. This transition from regular build fights to a box fight occurs when all individuals engage in building their own boxes.
Bad Manners / BM
In Fortnite, it can be difficult to determine what actions are considered “bad manners” as it varies from player to player. Bad manners typically involve taunting or gloating over a successful play against your opponents. An example of this would be performing a dance emote after eliminating someone.
Bait, Baited
Baiting in Fortnite refers to the strategy of deceiving an opponent into falling for a planned move. For instance, when you notice a player aggressively attempting to engage you in a close-quarters gunfight and luring you to follow them, they might be baiting you into a trap they’ve carefully set up elsewhere.
Bunny Hop
Bunny hop, in the context of Fortnite, refers to a unique movement technique that grants players the ability to travel at a slightly higher speed than regular.
Buff/Buffed
Epic Games, apart from focusing on new partnerships, also introduces balance updates by tweaking the effectiveness of weapons in Fortnite. When a gun’s overall power is enhanced due to Epic’s adjustments, it is referred to as being “buffed”.
Build battle
In Fortnite, when two players come across each other, instead of instantly appearing in the kill feed like in other shooter games, the situation can become chaotic. Skilled players in Fortnite will quickly construct a fort upon spotting you, initiating a build battle. To gain the upper hand, you can join in by constructing your own structures and competing for the advantage of higher ground.
Camper/Bush Camper
In the world of Fortnite, there are players known as campers who prefer to hide and wait for the perfect moment to eliminate their opponents. A specific type of camper is known as a bush camper, who strategically conceals themselves within large green bushes. The advantage of this tactic is that bush campers can observe their surroundings without being detected, unless someone enters the bush they are hiding in.
Choking
Fortnite players often use the term “choking” to refer to situations where they unexpectedly lose a battle, even though they had the upper hand. An example of choking would be dying to an opponent who only had a harvesting tool, while you had a powerful shotgun equipped. Additionally, missing obvious shots during a battle can also be considered as choking in Fortnite.
Clutch
In the world of Fortnite, “clutching” is the act of surpassing expectations and successfully overcoming a tense situation. For example, winning a battle against two opponents in a one-on-two scenario can be considered clutching it out. Another example is when you manage to hit an incredibly accurate sniper shot from a significant distance, which is also known as a
Cracked
In the world of Fortnite, the term “crank” refers to an impressive display of skill by a player. It is often used to describe when a player suddenly starts performing exceptionally well. For example, one might say, “You began cranking out consecutive no scope shots, and I couldn’t believe how incredible it was to witness.”
Coned
Coned is a term used in Fortnite when a player destroys another player’s roof and replaces it with their own or traps them under a roof. This strategy involves cornering the opponent by placing a cone structure around them. Once the cone is in place, the player can then edit their own roof to take down the trapped opponent.
Cracked
When you shoot at players who have shields in Fortnite, you will hear cracking sounds, indicating that your shots have successfully diminished their shields. This is a signal for you to inform your teammates that the player you targeted is now “cracked” and they can concentrate their efforts on eliminating them. Keep in mind that players without shields will be defeated much quicker than those who still have their shields intact.
Desert Eagle
In the game Fortnite, there is no weapon called the Desert Eagle. However, players often refer to the Hand Cannon as the Desert Eagle because it closely resembles the popular gun from Counter-Strike.
Dog house
In Fortnite, it is common to find a dog house in the backyard of houses with beautiful gardens. These dog houses may sometimes have chests inside them, and there may be quests that involve demolishing them.
Double pump
Double pump was once a highly effective strategy in Fortnite for defeating opponents. It involved players equipping two pump shotguns and swiftly switching to the second shotgun immediately after firing with the first. This technique was beneficial for bypassing the pump delay, although it was eventually weakened. As a result, players still have to endure the pump delay after switching back to the first shotgun they used.
Downed/Knocked
In duos, trios, or squads matches in Fortnite, players have the opportunity to be “downed” or “knocked” before being completely eliminated. This mechanic allows their teammates to revive them, and you will receive a notification for each enemy player who is downed.
In the game of Fortnite, when you successfully bring an opponent to a vulnerable state, you can refer to them as “downed” or “knocked.” This way, you can inform your team
Dub
In the world of Fortnite, the term “Dub” commonly refers to the letter W, which symbolizes achieving victory. When players say they have “gotten a dub,” it means they have emerged as the winners of a Fortnite
First-shot accuracy
One of the important terms in Fortnite is “first-shot accuracy.” It refers to the situation when you are stationary and aiming down sight (ADS), resulting in your next shot being extremely precise. It is important to note that this accuracy does not apply to consecutive shots fired immediately after, as there is a slight delay required for the first-shot accuracy to take effect.
Full send
In the realm of Fortnite, “full send” refers to the act of wholeheartedly committing to an aggressive approach.
Ghost peeking
One popular technique in the Fortnite game is called ghost peeking. This tactic involves players using walls that are only tall enough to cover half of their body to hide behind. By crouching behind these walls and briefly standing up to take shots, players can surprise their opponents. Ghost peeking was quite popular in the past and was often seen in the Fortnite meta.
Editing
In Fortnite, players have the ability to edit the building pieces they place. This allows them to add windows and doors to structures or completely alter their shape.
FAMAS
The Burst Assault Rifle in the Common and Rare categories bears a striking resemblance to the FAMAS. If someone requests a FAMAS from you, they are simply asking for a burst assault rifle.
Goated on the Sticks
Goated on the Sticks is a phrase commonly used in the console gaming community to describe players who have exceptional skills in utilizing their controllers. This term specifically refers to players who excel in using the two movement sticks on their controllers. If you consistently perform exceptionally well as a controller player, you have the potential to become goated on the sticks in the future.
Harry Pottered
In the past, Harry Potter had to endure living in a cramped space under a staircase. Similarly, in Fortnite, if you’re not skilled at constructing structures, you might find yourself trapped under other players’ staircases. This situation is commonly referred to as being “Harry Pottered” in the game.
High ground
Gaining the high ground in Fortnite gives you an advantage over your opponent. This advantage can be achieved by either constructing a fort at a higher elevation than theirs or by positioning yourself on top of a mountain.
Hot Drop
Popular landing spots in Fortnite can vary based on their location on the map and the quality of loot they provide. These areas are often referred to as “hot drops”. If you want to land at any of the well-known locations in Fortnite, you will essentially be engaging in hot-dropping.
Lasered
Lasered is a term used in Fortnite to describe when a player shows exceptional shooting accuracy by consistently hitting their targets with precise shots. Skilled players with sharp aim will relentlessly connect consecutive shots, leaving opponents with little time to react.
LeBron’s house
Fortnite features various houses, each with their own unique attributes. Specifically, houses that come with a basketball court are often known as “LeBron’s house” due to the association with the famous basketball player. It is believed that LeBron James, being a basketball enthusiast, would prefer to reside in a house that includes a court for practicing. While the most popular LeBron’s house is situated in Retail Row, any house featuring a basketball court can be referred to using the same term.
Loadout
During a Fortnite game, you will gather a considerable amount of weapons and healing items. These items will be displayed on the bottom of your screen, forming your loadout.
Low-ground warrior
In Fortnite, building is a fundamental skill that not every player can master. Those who struggle to improve their building abilities even after hours of practice often become what is known as low-ground warriors. This term refers to players who primarily rely on basic structures or choose not to build at all while playing Fortnite.
Mats
In regular Fortnite games, you will need to gather materials in order to build. Although there are game modes that allow building without any conditions, “mats” is a shortened term commonly used to refer to materials.
Meds
Fortnite players need healing items to stay alive in the game. “Meds” is a term used to describe any item that can restore a player’s health. It is important to note that “meds” does not include shields, as shields only protect the player and do not restore their health.
Minis
In Fortnite, there are various shield items available. Among them, the term “minis” refers to the smallest type, which provides a 25-point increase to a player’s shield.
No scope
When playing Fortnite, it is recommended to utilize the scope of a sniper rifle in order to ensure precise shots. However, if you choose not to use the scope, your shots may be less accurate, but you can still eliminate opponents. In the event that you manage to take down an enemy without using the weapon’s scope, it is referred to as “no-scoping” them.
OG
The term “OG” in Fortnite stands for “original gangster” and is commonly used to honor players who have been playing the game since its early days. One way to identify these OG players is through their rare skins, which may occasionally make a return to the in-game shop with minor changes. In such cases, the original version of the skin is given the OG title, serving as a marker of how long a player has been actively engaged with Fortnite.
OP
OP, which stands for overpowered, is commonly used to describe weapons or in-game elements in Fortnite that are significantly stronger than other options. These OP items are highly sought after by players, as they provide a greater advantage and increase the likelihood of winning a game.
One-pump
In Fortnite, the term “one-pump” refers to the situation where a player is eliminated by a single shot from a shotgun. This means that their health points are completely depleted by just one bullet from a pump shotgun.
One-shot/one-hit
Fortnite players may encounter the term “one-shot” or “one-hit” during gameplay. This term is used to describe a situation where a player is eliminated by a single shot from a weapon other than a pump shotgun. Usually, one-shots occur when a powerful weapon delivers a headshot, which can catch players off guard. Additionally, “one-shot” can also refer to a player who only has one point of health remaining. In this case, any opponent who manages to damage them with a single hit will eliminate them.
One-tap
One-tap refers to the act of eliminating an opponent with a single shot, which can be quite satisfying for the player holding the trigger. Experiencing the opposite, being one-shot by an opponent, is often frustrating. One-v-one is a situation where two players face off against each other individually.
In Fortnite, if you want to win, you can choose to play cautiously and wait until the endgame. However, to be the ultimate champion, you must defeat another player. When you find yourself in a situation where it’s just you against one enemy player, it’s referred to as a one-on-one encounter.
Phasing
Phasing refers to a visual glitch that commonly occurs as a result of lag in Fortnite. When you notice a player moving through a solid wall or structure, it is likely that they have maneuvered around it. However, if there is a lag issue experienced by either you or the opponent, it may mistakenly appear as if they have walked into a wall.
Ping
In the world of Fortnite, the term “ping” can have two different meanings depending on the situation. Firstly, when a player says they have “pinged” an enemy player, it means that they have successfully marked or highlighted that player using the in-game communication and marking system. On the other hand, “ping” can also refer to experiencing lag or connectivity issues. If your ping values are higher, it indicates that your connection to the Fortnite servers is not in good condition, which may lead to technical difficulties during gameplay.
POI/Point of Interest
Fortnite Terms: Point of Interest or POI is a term used to refer to the significant landmarks present on the Fortnite map. These points of interest are identified by having their unique names assigned to them.
Popping shields
Using the term “popping shields” refers to the action of depleting an opponent’s shield in Fortnite. It means that the enemy no longer has any shields remaining, and any subsequent shots will begin to decrease their health points.
Pyramid
Fortnite features a roof building component that resembles the top edge of a pyramid. These roof pieces are often called pyramids within the game.
Quick-scope
The quick-scoping technique in Fortnite is a valuable skill that enhances accuracy. Unlike no-scoping, which is also impressive, quick-scoping involves briefly aiming down sight with your weapon to ensure an accurate first shot. If you successfully eliminate an opponent using this method, you can swiftly focus on targeting another enemy.
Res/Rez
Res/Rez, short for resurrect, is a term used in Fortnite. When playing in squad matches, if you get knocked down, your teammates have the ability to bring you back to life, or “rez” you.
Rocket ride
In the earlier days of Fortnite, there was a popular stunt called the Rocket Ride. This involved players jumping onto RPG shots and using them as a means of transportation to fly towards enemy buildings, catching them off guard with a surprise attack.
Rotate
In Fortnite, the term “rotate” refers to the various movements that players make during gameplay. Experienced players often have specific rotations that they remember and utilize. These rotations can involve predetermined paths for collecting loot or visiting specific locations within a particular zone. Additionally, the term “rotate” can also be used to describe the movements of enemy players. Another important Fortnite term is “rubber-banding.”
Rubber-banding
Rubber-banding is a common occurrence in Fortnite when a player experiences a high ping. During rubber-banding, the player’s in-game character may appear to be moving forward but will often be pushed back, creating a noticeable rubber-banding effect.
Siphon
In certain game modes of Fortnite, there is a feature called Siphon that enables players to recover health and shield after eliminating an opponent. This mechanic was later incorporated into the competitive game modes of Fortnite, becoming a fundamental aspect of the game.
Spawn island
At the start of a Fortnite game, players are placed on a serene island along with other participants. This location is known as the spawn island. While it is technically possible to return to the spawn island after leaping from the Battle Bus, it is generally not advantageous to do so.
Spray and pray
In shooter games, having good accuracy is important. However, there are times when you might need to use a different strategy. This involves shooting your weapon rapidly and hoping that all of your bullets will successfully hit the enemy. This tactic is known as “spray and pray.” It is used when your main focus is on staying alive rather than aiming precisely.
Stream sniper
Fortnite stream snipers refer to individuals who not only play the game but also live stream their gameplay on various streaming platforms. These stream snipers are specifically interested in locating and targeting the streamer within the game.
Players who engage in stream sniping exploit this unfair advantage to either eliminate their targets from a strategically advantageous position or to provide them with useful in-game items.
Stretched resolution
Stretched resolution refers to using a resolution that is smaller than the native values of your monitor. This can result in a stretched appearance in the game. Although the visual quality may be compromised, the player models will appear wider, making it easier to shoot them. Ultimately, whether or not it improves your aiming ability will depend on your personal preference, so it’s recommended to experiment and see if it works for you.
Sweat
In the world of Fortnite, you will come across players who are extremely dedicated to winning. These individuals put in extra effort and determination, often referred to as “sweating”. Being a sweat means that a player is giving their all to secure a victory, which is not necessarily a negative trait.
Tagged
Tagged refers to the situation where you have successfully shot an opponent in Fortnite, either once or twice. It is important to communicate this information to your teammates so that they can concentrate their efforts on the weakened enemy.
Taking a wall
In Fortnite, during intense building fights, players have the opportunity to “take a wall” by demolishing an enemy’s wall and quickly replacing it with their own. This strategic move allows players to gain control and fortify their position in the game.
Thirsting
Thirsting or being thirsty in Fortnite refers to the act of quickly eliminating an enemy player after knocking them down. While there is nothing inherently wrong with wanting to secure a kill, it is important to consider the potential risks involved. By thirsting for a kill, you expose yourself to the possibility of the downed player’s teammates being nearby, posing a threat to your own survival. Therefore, being overly eager to eliminate enemies can be a risky move in the game.
Turtling
In Fortnite, the term “turtling” refers to a defensive play style. It involves a player adopting a defensive strategy by minimizing their aggression. When a player starts turtling, they typically aim to prioritize healing themselves or reviving a fellow teammate.
Vaulted
In the world of Fortnite, the developers often make changes to the available weapons in each season. These changes can include making certain weapons weaker or stronger. However, there are also times when weapons are temporarily removed from the game altogether. This is known as “vaulting” the weapons.
Yeet
Yeet is a lively expression used to convey exhilaration and astonishment. Typically, it is employed to express appreciation for something or to display one’s enthusiasm towards it.
Conclusion
Understanding the various terms used in the Fortnite game may seem overwhelming at first, but with time, it will become clearer. Soon enough, you’ll find yourself incorporating Fortnite jargon into your daily conversations, leaving your loved ones puzzled.