Terminology

#

1deag

See Terminology#O One Deag

1G

To die to one's own Molotov/Incendiary Grenade.

1-3-1 defense

A defensive position arrangement for the Counter-terrorist (CT) team where 3 players defend the middle of the map, and one player defends each bomb site.

2-1-2 defense

The most common defensive position for a Counter-terrorist (CT) team at the start of a round, where two CTs defend each bombsite while the remaining CT lurks/gathers information

A

A

The A bomb site on a bomb defusal map.

A1S

Shorthand for the M4A1-S.

A4

Shorthand for the M4A4.

Ace

When a single player kills the entire enemy team.

AFK

Shorthand for "Away from keyboard," in which a player is not currently present at the computer.

Aimbot

A type of hack which enables a player to aim at an enemy automatically (usually to the head).

Aim punch

The random change in a player's heading (aim) resulting from being shot. Much higher with no armor.

AK

Shorthand for the AK-47.

Ammo

Shorthand for a weapon's ammunition.

Anchor

A player who stays behind to defend a bombsite while their teammate(s) rotate to the other. They are usually asked to stay in position unless the situation calls for them to also rotate (e.g. the terrorist(s) are all heading towards the other bombsite).

Angle

A specific line of fire or viewpoint. Many angles, especially defensive ones, on each map are well known by experienced players so that they can be cautious moving through the map.

Anti-eco

Purchasing high kill reward weapons when playing against a team on an eco.

Anti-flash

When holding an angle, preemptively looking away in preparation for incoming flashbangs.

Ar_

The map prefix for the Arsenal gamemodes (Demolition and Arms Race) in Counter-Strike games.

As_

The map prefix for the Assassination gamemode in Counter-Strike games.

Auto sniper

Used to refer to the CT SCAR-20/Krieg 550 Commando or the T G3SG1.

Autoshottie/shotty

The XM1014.

AWPer

A player in a professional team dedicated to using the AWP sniper rifle.

AWP whore

A player who extensively uses the or AWP sniper rifle.

B

B

The B bomb site on a bomb defusal map.

Bait

To lure enemy team attention away from a bombsite.

Letting a teammate get killed to draw enemy attention away from you.

BG

Shorthand for "Bad game." (contrasting GG) Said after a completed match to express a lack of sportsmanship or (even) team play.

Bomb

The C4

Boost

Reaching normally unreachable positions by standing on teammates when the team collision is on (such as in competitive).

Players wanting a boost will normally call ‘Boost me’ or ‘Boost’ followed by the location they require assistance reaching.

Boosted

Used in competitive play to refer to an unskilled player who has gained a higher rank by playing with players of a much higher rank.

Buff

Improving a weapon's effectiveness after a game update.

Bunny hop (bhop)

Exploiting the game's physics by strafe-jumping repeatedly in order to move faster than is possible by running.

Burst

A firing mode in which the weapon fires 3 bullets at a time.

A firing technique on semi-automatic or fully automatic rifles in which the player uses short bursts similar to the burst firing mode.

Buy round

A round in which a team buys a full loadout of weapons and equipment at the beginning of a round, usually after conserving the previous round.

C

Callout

Terms used to reference common areas on a map for quick communication with teammates.

Camping

Staying in the same place or same small area for a long time.

Care

Shorthand for "take care" or "careful of", followed by map callout. For example, ‘Take care enemies at long’ would become ‘care long’.

Carry

A player with substantially more frags compared to the rest of the team.

Clutch

Winning in a situation in which the player is the last man standing or as the underdog in an otherwise unwinnable situation.

Collateral

Used when a player kills two or more enemies with a single bullet usually from an AWP due to its high penetration and damage output.

Console

Shorthand for the developer console.

Contact play

When a team works its way on to a bomb site without any utility use, waiting to see an opposing player before initiating their attack of the bomb site.

Cooldown

A period in which a player is banned from playing competitive matches.

Counter-strafe

To stop one's momentum by quickly moving the opposite direction of where one is previously going. This is achieved by letting go of the previous directional keys and quickly tapping the opposite directional keys (e.g. letting go of "A" and tapping "D").

Crossfire

A situation where enemies will be attacked from multiple angles at the same time by two or more teammates.

Crouch jump

Jumping while crouching at the same time in order to reach the maximum vertical jump distance.

Also known as "duck jump".

CS

Shorthand for Counter-Strike.

Cs_

The prefix for the Hostage Rescue gamemode in Counter-Strike games.

CSCZ

Shorthand for Counter-Strike: Condition Zero.

CSGO

Shorthand for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.

CSGO'd

To miss a shot (usually a headshot or an AWP shot) due to hit registration error.

CSO

Shorthand for Counter-Strike Online.

CSOL

Shorthand for Counter-Strike Online.

CSS

Shorthand for Counter-Strike: Source.

CT

The Counter-Terrorists factions within the Counter-Strike series.

CT aggression

When counter-terrorist players attack areas of the map typically containing terrorist players in order to gain early position and/or numerical advantage.

CVAR

Developer console variables

CZ

Shorthand for Counter-Strike: Condition Zero.

Shorthand for the CZ75-Auto.

CZDS

Shorthand for Counter-Strike: Condition Zero Deleted Scenes.

D

Dak-dak

A semi-automatic sniper rifle, such as the SCAR-20 or the G3SG1.

De_

The map prefix for the Bomb Defusal gamemode in Counter-Strike games.

Deagle

Shorthand for the Desert Eagle.

Default

Spreading Terrorist positions around a map in such a way that the Terrorist team can both work towards a bomb site of their choice, maintain map control, and watch for CT aggression.

The most common bomb-planting spot in a bombsite.

DHW

Shorthand for the DreamHack Winter tournament

Dink

A headshot (that does not result in an instant kill). Derived from the “dink” sound made when hitting a target's helmet.

Double kill

Killing 2 enemies in rapid succession or with a single shot.

Drop

Free items randomly given out at the end of matches or during tournaments.

To buy a weapon for another teammate. Players requesting a drop from others will usually call "Drop me a/an" followed by the name of the weapon.

DS

Shorthand for Counter-Strike: Condition Zero Deleted Scenes.

E

Economy

How much money each team has to buy their weapons and equipment. In competitive matches, ensuring the opposing team has a poor economy gives your team an advantage.

Economy round (eco round)

Conserving cash by purchasing cheap weapons, only grenades, or not purchasing any weapons or equipment.

The shorthand "eco" is also used as a verb. For example, "We're ecoing."

Eco'd

To lose to a team undergoing an eco round.

Entry frag

A kill which opens up entry into a site or area.

Es_

The map prefix for the Escape gamemode in Counter-Strike games.

Exit frag

Kills achieved within the time frame after a round has completed and before the next round starts.

European buy

Half of the team buys a rifle, and the other half saves.

EZ or EZPZ

Shorthand for Easy or Easy Peasy. Usually used after "GG" to humiliate the enemy team.

F

Fake

As a Terrorist, deceiving the enemy into action away from the actual target.

(~ plant) As a Terrorist, starting but immediately stopping planting a bomb to deceive the enemy into attacking.

(~ defuse) As a Counter-Terrorist, starting but immediately stopping a defuse to deceive the enemy into attacking.

Flash

Shorthand for Flashbang

Using a flashbang to blind an opponent.

Flick

A quick reaction shot to hit an enemy who just appeared in, or in some cases, outiside the field of view, usually achieved by a flick of the mouse.

Force buy

Buying aggressively without actually having enough money for a full buy in order to surprise the enemy expecting an eco or when a win is desperately needed.

FPS

A First-person shooter (game).

Frames per second.

Frag

A kill.

Framerate

The number of frames per second (fps) being rendered in-game.

Flavor text

The description of an item aside from its primary function, such as a weapon skin description.

Friendly fire (FF)

Damage given to or sustained from a teammate.

Full buy

When a team can (and does) buy armor, good weapons, and utility.

Full eco

When a team buys nothing in order to save money.

Full hat

One team eliminates the other without any of their players being killed.

G

GG

Shorthand for "Good game." (contrasting BG) Said after a match's conclusion to express good sportsmanship.

Sometimes expressing surprise, disbelief or admiration after an unlikely event, a problem, or a nice shot.

GG WP

Shorthand for "Good game, well played."

GH

Shorthand for "Good half." Used by players after the end of the first half of a match in which the players switch sides.

GJ

Shorthand for "Good job."

GL HF

Shorthand for "Good luck, have fun." Used by players prior to the start of a match to express admiration or good sportsmanship.

Glass cannon

A player who buys an AWP in competitive play, at the cost of foregoing any armor. Usually as a force buy.

Glock

Shorthand for the Glock-18.

Gun round

When both teams have enough to buy armor, helmet and rifles.

H

Hacks/hax

Hacking or cheating in some way.

Headshot

Shooting a player in the head, often resulting in a one-hit kill.

Hero AK/M4

A force buy tactic where one or two player buys a rifle, while the rest of the team support said player(s).

HP

Hit points. The amount of health the player has, ranging from 100 (full) to 0 (death).

I

Imbalanced

Used to refer to a weapon whose statistics give it an unfair edge compared to other similar weapons. Weapons that are called this are usually in dire need of a nerf, as it gives a user a silly advantage over another that shouldn't really exist. Examples of such are the pre-patch CZ75-Auto and the R8 Revolver.

In-game leader (IGL)

The team "captain" that makes team decisions during a game about what the round's plan will be (i.e., what strat to call), what mid-round decisions to make, when to call time-outs, among other things.

Info play

Making a "play" to gain information on the other team's positions or intentions, rather than to simply kill an opponent.

J

Jiggle peek

Coming in and out from behind an obstacle to either get information without being constantly exposed or to bait out a shot from an opponent.

Juan Deag

See One Deag

Jumpshot

Jumping and shooting at the same time.

Jump spot/peek

Jumping from behind an obstacle only to see if anyone from the opposing team is there.

K

k (When trading)

Shorthand for Weapon Case keys. Considered a price-stable commodity.

Kill assist

Getting points for wounding a player prior to their death.

Kit

The defusal kit or the rescue kit.

L

L2P

Derogatory shorthand for "Learn to play."

Lag

A delay on the player's actions due to the latency between a player's computer and the server.

Lit

Shorthand for "He is hit". Usually used in conjunction with the amount of damage dealt to enemy (i.e "Lit for 98").

LMAO

Shorthand for "Laughing my ass off."

LOL

Shorthand for "Laughing out loud."

Loss bonus

Money awarded to the losing team after a round ends. The amount increases with each consecutive lost round, up to a maximum of 5 rounds.

Lurk

When one player plays silently on their own to gain information covertly, get behind enemy lines unnoticed, or otherwise catch the other team by surprise with a play.

M

M4

Shorthand for the Maverick M4A1 Carbine, M4A4 or the M4A1-S.

MM

Shorthand for matchmaking.

Shorthand for using a middleman during a trade.

Map

The specific place that a single game is played. There are seven official maps used in tournaments.

Map control

How much of the map you currently have players on, or knowledge of (whether or not there are opposing players there or not).

Map pool

A subset of official maps that a team practices most and is comfortable playing.

Marketplace

Steam's self-contained community area where users can buy and sell items.

Maximum loss bonus

The $3400 maximum amount earned for a team after losing a fifth round in a row.

Mid

Shorthand for middle of the map. Most maps have a middle "lane", or pathway, which offers additional paths to both bomb sites. Because of this, controlling the middle of the map is important for both teams, since it increases (or decreases) the number of entrances that need to be defended.

N

Nade

Shorthand for the HE grenade. Sometimes refers to any grenade.

Nerf

Reducing a weapon's effectiveness after a game update.

Newbie

A friendly term indicating a player who is new to the game. Not to be confused with noob.

Ninja

As a Counter-Terrorist, reaching and defusing the bomb by circumventing living Terrorist players and obscuring their sight instead of eliminating them.

As a Terrorist, reaching the bomb site and planting the bomb without engaging the Counter-Terrorists on-site.

Noob

A derogative term indicating a very irritating player. Not to be confused with newbie.

Noob cannon

A derogative term referring to "easy-kill" weapons such as the XM1014 or semi-automic snipers.

Noscope (No-scope)

Killing an enemy with an unzoomed sniper rifle.

NS

Shorthand for "nice shot".

NT

Shorthand for "nice try".

NV

Shorthand for night vision.

NVG

Shorthand for the Night vision goggles.

O

One Deag

Killing someone with a one-shot headshot using the Desert Eagle (deagle). Also known as 1deag or Juan deag.

OP

Shorthand for "overpowered," usually referring to a weapon capable of dealing incredible damage with little effort.

Own

To kill and/or dominate an opponent.

P

P2K

Shorthand for the P2000.

Para

Shorthand for the M249.

PCW

Shorthand for "practice clan war," in which two teams play against each other in an online game, generally 5 on 5.

Peek

To gain information of an area by taking a quick look at it, without exposing oneself too much to the enemy.

Pick

A single kill, usually in isolation. These kills usually inspire a team play that would have been less successful without the kill. For example, a terrorist getting a pick at the B bombsite could lead to the decision to rush B, since it would typically be vulnerable (until CTs rotate).

Pistol round

The first round of a match/half in which players have the default cash, generally resulting in only pistols being purchased.

Pop flash

Timing a flash to explode as the player peeks around a corner or attempts a takedown either by coordinating with a teammate, or by bouncing the flashbang off nearby surfaces from behind cover as a solo player.

Pre-fire

Shooting at a position you know or expect an opponent to be holding as soon as you emerge from behind an obstacle (e.g., a wall). This gives you opponent no time to react, improving the odds of getting a kill.

Pump shottie/shotty

The Leone 12 Gauge Super. Rarely used in Global Offensive as there are more than one pump shotguns featured in the game.

Push

An attempt to gain control of a portion of the map. Usually a bomb site, but could be used to refer to any portion of the map.

Pwn

To kill and/or dominate an opponent.

Q

Quick switch

Rapidly switching between different weapons.

Quick switch glitch

A process used in GoldSrc Counter-Strike games which allows players to skip the bolt cycling animation by quick switching with bolt-action snipers.

Quad kill

To kill 4 enemies in a match

R

R8

Shorthand for the R8 Revolver

Rekt

Shorthand for "wrecked", the event of being eliminated by an opponent without any hope of surviving or fighting back.

ROFL

Shorthand for "Rolling on the floor laughing."

Rotate

Switching from one position to another as a team or an individual, generally between two bomb sites on a bomb defusal map.

Run boost

When a player stands on another's head and jumps while the player below runs. This propels the player on top farther than possible with a normal running jump.

Rush

Overwhelm defending players by having the whole team attack the same position in a coordinated attack.

Rush B

A terrorist tactic on bomb defusal maps which involves rushing into Bombsite B. Commonly used on Dust II, and its notoriety had become a meme in the community.

S

Save

Running out the match timer by retreating or hiding with the intent to carry the player's weapons and equipment through to the next round.

Scout

Shorthand for the Schmidt Scout and the SSG 08.

Shoulder bait

Similar to jiggle peeking, except only showing one's shoulder instead of peeking out, with the intention of making the opponent shoot to expose his or her position (by "baiting" out a shot).

Silver

A derogatory term used to indicate a player is of a low skill level, referring to the lowest ranks of competitive play.

Site

Shorthand for bombsite. One of two goal locations on defuse maps where terrorists can plant the bomb (A or B).

Smurf

A high-ranking competitive player who has created another account to play with lower ranks.

An alternate account, on which the player does not care about the current competitive rank.

Stack

When a CT team put most or all of its players in one bomb site, giving up control of the other.

Sticking it

As a counter-terrorist: Initiating a bomb defuse with the intention of not letting go and finishing it.

Strat

A planned team play, short for strategy.

T

T

The Terrorist factions.

Team ace

When every member of a team gets a kill against the enemy team in a round.

Team kill (TK)

To kill a teammate.

Team killer (TKer)

A person who team kills.

U

UMP

Shorthand for the UMP-45.

Unicorn round

A round in which no one from either team dies.

Utility

Usable equipment, including flashbangs, smoke grenades, high explosive grenades, molotovs/incendiary grenades, and defuse kits.

V

VAC

Acronym for "Valve Anti-Cheat".

Also used as a statement to accuse a player of cheating.

VACation

The state of being banned by VAC.

W

Wallbang

Intentionally shooting through a wall or through cover with the intention of hitting an opponent.

Worldspawn

To die from falling

Map "entry" available in Hammer World Editor.

WP

Shorthand for "Well played."

X

X-hair

Shorthand for the player's crosshair.

XM

Shorthand for the XM1014