What Does “Fein” Mean? The Origin and Meaning of This Viral Slang Term

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How fein took over the internet thanks to Travis Scott

Co-authored by Marcus Pruitt, BS Reviewed by Candace Gasper

Last Updated: February 3, 2025 Fact Checked

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Fein Meaning

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Origin

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Online Use

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Alternative Meanings

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Video

The term “fein” refers to someone who is greatly addicted to substances. The term has been used throughout the Black community for decades, with rappers Travis Scott and Playboi Carti popularizing it when they released a song of the same name. That song has sparked different trends on TikTok, and if you’re struggling to make sense of what they mean, there’s no need to worry. In this article, we walk you through the meaning of the term “fein,” its origins, alternative meanings, and more!

What does fein mean in slang?

The slang term fein refers to someone who is severely addicted to substances and will do anything to get them. The term was popularized by Travis Scott and Playboi Carti when they released their song, “FE!N,” which is currently 3x Platinum.

Section 1 of 4:

What does the slang term “fein” mean?

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Fein is a noun used to describe a person who is in the later stages of their addiction. A fein will go to the extreme to get their hands on their substance of choice. For example, if someone is constantly asking you if they can hit your vape, they are a fein.^{[1]
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Section 2 of 4:

Where does the term “fein” come from?

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Fein is an AAVE term popularized by Travis Scott and Playboi Carti. The word fein is an AAVE term for fiend that has been used for decades. In July 2023, rappers Travis Scott and Playboi Carti popularized the term when they dropped the song “FE!N” on Scott’s album, Utopia. The track is the biggest song from the album and has gone 3x Platinum.^{[2]
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- The earliest known online usage of the word fein was in 2005.
- During concerts on the Circus Maximus tour, Scott became known for performing the track multiple times in a row. During a show in Brooklyn, New York, he performed the song 10 times in a row.^{[3]
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- On July 12, 2024, TikTok user @jimmy02_ posted a video of himself at a concert singing “FE!N” that went viral. This started a trend where people sang the chorus of the song with a tone similar to that of Elvis Presley impersonators.

Section 3 of 4:

How do people use the term “fein” online?

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Online, people use fein to refer to the Travis Scott song. People use the word fein in videos of Scott performing the song and fan edits of the rapper. There is also a TikTok trend where a person says “I hope they play Fein” at some sort of event. Another person dismisses their statement by saying “But we’re at [insert event here].” The scene then cuts to Fein being sung at the event.
- On October 2, 2024, @2b.hlwweiz posted a video where she said “I hope they play Fein!” Her friend responded by saying, “Bro, we are in math class,” before cutting to their math teacher, singing, “Fein! Fein! Fein! Fein!”

Section 4 of 4:

Alternative Meanings of “Fein”

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A Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) is a unique nine-digit number given to businesses operating in the United States by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). A FEIN is like a Social Security number for your business and is used to identify a business when reporting taxes.^{[4]
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It derives from Sinn Fein, which is an Irish political organization that advocates for Ireland’s complete separation from Great Britain and a return of Northern Ireland to the Irish people.^{[5]
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