Master 10 Social Media Vocabulary Words: Fun ESL Practice for Adults.
Updated: 7 days ago
Do you enjoy scrolling through Instagram, watching TikTok videos or sharing photos on Facebook? Social media has become a big part of our everyday lives. But do you know all the English words people use when talking about social media?
Whether you are posting photos, commenting on videos, sending private messages or following your favourite creators, understanding social media vocabulary in English will help you communicate more confidently online.
In this lesson, you will learn 10 essential social media words, discover their meanings and see how they are used in everyday conversations.
This English vocabulary lesson is ideal for adult ESL/EFL learners at Pre-Intermediate (A2) level and above.
What You Will Learn
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
Understand 10 common social media vocabulary words.
Use social media expressions in everyday English.
Read and understand a short social media story.
Practise your vocabulary with fun exercises and quizzes.
Talk about your social media habits in English.
Let's get started!
1. Learn 10 Essential Social Media Vocabulary Words
Here are 10 useful English words you will often see and hear when using social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.
1. Hashtag (#)
Meaning: A word or phrase with the symbol # in front of it. Hashtags help organise content and make it easier to find posts about a particular topic.
Example:
I usually add a few hashtags to my travel photos.
Search for #HealthyRecipes to find cooking ideas.
2. Profile
Meaning: A personal page on a social media platform that contains information about you, such as your name, photo and interests.
Example:
I updated my profile picture yesterday.
Her Instagram profile is full of beautiful travel photos.
3. Post
Meaning: A photo, video or written message that you publish on social media. It can also be used as a verb.
Example:
She shared a beautiful post about her holiday.
I don't post photos very often.
4. DM (Direct Message)
Meaning: A private message sent directly to another person on social media.
Example:
I'll send you a DM with the details.
He sent me a direct message on Instagram.
5. Comment
Meaning: A written response or opinion that someone leaves under a social media post.
Example:
Thank you for your lovely comment!
I always read the comments before watching a video.
6. Follow
Meaning: To subscribe to someone's social media account so you can see their updates and new content.
Example:
I follow several food bloggers on Instagram.
You should follow her account for more travel tips.
7. Tag
Meaning: To mention or identify another person's account in a post, photo or comment.
Example:
I tagged my best friend in the photo.
Don't forget to tag me when you upload the pictures!
8. Like
Meaning: To show that you enjoy or appreciate a post by clicking a heart, thumbs-up or similar button.
Example:
Don't forget to like and share this video!
She liked all my holiday photos.
9. Share
Meaning: To send or repost something so other people can see it.
Example:
Can you share this interesting article with your friends?
I love sharing inspirational quotes online.
10. Viral
Meaning: Describes a photo, video or post that becomes extremely popular and spreads quickly online.
Example:
Her funny cooking video went viral.
The video received millions of views after it went viral.
Quick Tip:
We commonly say:
A video goes viral.
A post goes viral.
A photo goes viral.
2. 8 More Social Media Expressions
Want to sound more natural when talking about social media? Here are eight additional expressions worth learning.
Expression | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
Scroll | Move through content on a screen | I like to scroll through Instagram before bed. |
Upload | Put a photo or video online | She uploaded a new video yesterday. |
Download | Save a file or video to your device | I downloaded the video to watch later. |
Feed | The stream of posts you see on a platform | My Instagram feed is full of travel pictures. |
Story | A temporary photo or video update | She posted a birthday story. |
Influencer | Someone who influences an audience through online content | That influencer shares useful skincare tips. |
Unfollow | Stop following an account | I decided to unfollow that account. |
Notification | An alert about new activity | I received a notification about a new comment. |
Useful Everyday Expressions
You may also hear these informal expressions:
Check out this post! – Look at this post.
Give it a like. – Show that you enjoy it.
Tag me in the photo. – Mention my account in the photo.
Send me the link. – Share the website or video address with me.
I'm addicted to scrolling! – I spend too much time scrolling through social media.
3. Read and Learn: A Social Media Story
Emma's Social Media Surprise
Emma loves sharing little moments from her everyday life on Instagram. Last weekend, she uploaded a photo of her homemade strawberry cake.
She added a few hashtags, including #BakingAtHome and #SweetTreats.
A few friends liked her post and left lovely comments. Her sister even tagged their mother, who loves baking too.
Later that evening, Emma received a DM from a popular food influencer who wanted to share her cake recipe with their followers.
Emma was surprised when she discovered that her photo had been shared hundreds of times!
Her little baking post had gone viral. She smiled and thought, "Perhaps I should start a food blog!"
Check Your Understanding
Answer these questions:
What did Emma upload to Instagram?
Which hashtags did she use?
Who tagged their mother?
Who sent Emma a DM?
Why was Emma surprised?
Think About It:
Have you ever shared something online that received more attention than you expected?
4. Social Media Vocabulary Practice
Let's see how much you remember!
Activity 1: Match the Words to Their Meanings
Match each social media word with the correct definition.
| A) A private message sent directly to someone. |
| B) A personal page containing your information. |
| C) A written response under a post. |
| D) To mention another person's account in a photo or post. |
| E) A post that becomes extremely popular online. |
| F) To publish a photo, video or message online. |
| G) A symbol used to organise content by topic. |
| H) To show that you enjoy someone's post. |
| I) To subscribe to someone's social media account. |
| J) To send or repost content so others can see it. |
Activity 2: Fill in the Blanks
Choose the correct word from the box.
Word Bank: post | comment | viral | tag | DM | profile | follow | share
I love to __________ my holiday photos on Instagram.
She always leaves a lovely __________ on my posts.
His funny video went __________ and received millions of views.
Can you __________ me in that group photo?
I sent her a __________ to ask about the party.
My __________ includes a photo and a short description about me.
I __________ several English-learning accounts.
Please __________ this useful article with your friends.
Activity 3: Multiple-Choice Quiz
Choose the correct answer.
1. What is a hashtag?
A. A private message
B. A symbol used to organise online content
C. A profile picture
2. What does it mean to follow someone?
A. To subscribe to their social media account
B. To send them an email
C. To delete their account
3. What is a DM?
A. A public comment
B. A video
C. A private message
4. If a video goes viral, what happens?
A. It disappears.
B. It becomes very popular.
C. It gets deleted.
5. What does it mean to tag someone?
A. To mention their account in a post or photo.
B. To block their account.
C. To download their photo.
6. Where can you leave a comment?
A. Under a social media post.
B. In your phone settings.
C. In your camera.
7. What does upload mean?
A. To delete a photo.
B. To put a photo or video online.
C. To read a comment.
8. What is a social media feed?
A. A list of passwords.
B. A private conversation.
C. A stream of posts and updates.
5. Speaking Practice: Let's Talk About Social Media!
Now it's time to use your new vocabulary in real conversations.
Warm-Up Questions
Which social media platforms do you use most often?
Do you prefer watching videos or reading posts?
How often do you upload photos?
Do you follow any food, fashion or travel influencers?
Do you enjoy reading comments on social media?
Discussion Questions
Have you ever had a post or photo go viral?
What makes you want to follow someone's account?
Do you prefer sharing photos publicly or sending them through private messages?
Have you ever received an interesting DM from someone?
Do you think people spend too much time scrolling through social media?
What kind of content do you usually share with your friends?
Do you think social media helps people stay connected?
Speaking Challenge
Complete these sentences with your own ideas:
My favourite social media platform is __________ because __________.
I usually follow accounts about __________.
The last photo I uploaded was __________.
I often share __________ with my friends.
I think social media is useful because __________.
Speaking Tip:
Try to give a reason for each answer. Use because, although, however and for example to make your answers more interesting.
6. Everyday English: A Short Conversation
Mia: Have you seen Sarah's latest Instagram post?
Emma: No. What did she upload?
Mia: A beautiful photo from her holiday in Japan.
Emma: Really? I'll check it out. Did you like it?
Mia: Of course! I also left a comment and tagged you.
Emma: That's lovely! I'll share it with my sister. She loves Japan too.
Mia: Great! Maybe we should follow Sarah's travel account.
Emma: Good idea. Her photos are always amazing!
💬 Conversation Practice
Practise the dialogue with a partner.
Then change the underlined ideas by using your own examples:
Instagram post → TikTok video
Holiday in Japan → Weekend in Bali
Travel account → Food blog
7. Frequently Asked Questions - Social Media Vocabulary
What are the most common social media words in English?
Some common social media vocabulary words include post, comment, like, share, follow, hashtag, profile, tag, DM and viral.
What does DM mean on social media?
DM stands for Direct Message. It refers to a private message sent directly to another user on a social media platform.
What does it mean when a post goes viral?
When a post goes viral, it becomes extremely popular and spreads quickly across social media, often receiving thousands or millions of views.
What is the difference between a post and a comment?
A post is content that someone publishes on social media, such as a photo, video or written message. A comment is a response written underneath someone else's post.
What is the difference between tagging and mentioning someone?
Tagging usually links a person's account to a photo or piece of content. Mentioning someone means referring to their username in a post or comment. The exact features can vary between platforms.
How can I improve my English vocabulary through social media?
Follow English-learning accounts, watch short English videos, read captions and comments, and write your own simple posts in English. Try to learn a few new words each week and use them in sentences.
8. Download Your FREE Social Media Vocabulary Worksheet
Ready to test your knowledge?
Download the FREE printable worksheet and practise what you have learned.
Inside the worksheet:
10 essential social media vocabulary words.
Vocabulary matching activity.
Fill-in-the-blank exercises.
Multiple-choice quiz.
Speaking practice questions.
Complete answer key.
[DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE WORKSHEET]
Keep practising and build your everyday English vocabulary one word at a time!
9. Watch the Video Lesson
Prefer learning through videos?
Watch our Social Media Vocabulary lesson on YouTube and practise the pronunciation of these common English words.
Don't forget to:
Like the video.
Subscribe for more everyday English lessons.
Leave a comment using one of your new vocabulary words.
10. Keep Learning: More Everyday English Lessons
Enjoyed this vocabulary lesson? Explore more English lessons and activities:
Learn. Read. Listen. Practise. Test.
Keep exploring, keep practising and enjoy learning English!
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