Definition S

Sus

Suspicious or questionable—used to describe potentially fake items or sketchy situations.

Sus (suspicious) flags something as questionable, untrustworthy, or potentially fake. In streetwear context, sus most commonly applies to items of uncertain authenticity: 'those Jordans look sus' suggests they might be counterfeit. The term also applies to sellers, deals, or situations that seem off—a price too good to be true is sus, a seller who won't provide detailed photos is sus. Sus operates as warning shorthand: when someone calls something sus, they're advising caution without making definitive accusations. The term acknowledges that certainty is often impossible—you can't always prove something fake, but you can flag concerns. Sus became mainstream through gaming culture (particularly Among Us) but has deep roots in streetwear communities where authentication is constant concern. Recognizing sus indicators—wrong stitching, suspicious pricing, reluctant sellers—protects against taking Ls on fake goods.

Origin & Etymology

Shortened from 'suspicious' or 'suspect,' with usage predating but amplified by the 2020 game Among Us. In streetwear, the term has been used since at least the 2010s.