A Malaysian or Singaporean slang word that means haughty or disdainfully proud because they know they are superior to the other person. May also equate to the Malay slangs "eksyen" (action) or "ek" (short of action).
Origin: Believed to originate from Johor, Malaysia used since the 70s but gained popularity in Malaysian pop culture in the 90s.
The real meaning in malay is winch or sheave but the slang has nothing to do with that. It's thought to come from the english word "character" which means someone giving an attitude over something or showing haughty character. It is different from the Johorean Malaysian or Singaporean slang "gerek" which means stylish.
Note: Kerek may be used offensively or playfully. Sometimes it is used as a scorn or backhanded compliment. However, kerek always denotes that the kerek person is above or better than the person who calls them kerek, which can also become a form of indirect compliment. A person who calls another kerek may even be gauged as jealous as they agree that the kerek person is better than them but they feel that they're full of it.
Origin: Believed to originate from Johor, Malaysia used since the 70s but gained popularity in Malaysian pop culture in the 90s.
The real meaning in malay is winch or sheave but the slang has nothing to do with that. It's thought to come from the english word "character" which means someone giving an attitude over something or showing haughty character. It is different from the Johorean Malaysian or Singaporean slang "gerek" which means stylish.
Note: Kerek may be used offensively or playfully. Sometimes it is used as a scorn or backhanded compliment. However, kerek always denotes that the kerek person is above or better than the person who calls them kerek, which can also become a form of indirect compliment. A person who calls another kerek may even be gauged as jealous as they agree that the kerek person is better than them but they feel that they're full of it.
Cik Ani: Si Sarah tu, sejak balik dari Paris itu hari, kerek betul dia!
Cik Senah: Aku tengok OK je? Siap bagi aku ole-ole keychain Eiffel Tower. Tapi ha, memang patut pun dia kerek, sebab dia yang dapat pergi Paris, bukan kau! Kau ni jeles sebenarnya kan sebab kau tak dapat ole-ole?
(Cik Ani: That Sarah girl, ever since she came back from Paris the other day, she's so kerek!
Cik Senah: She seems okay to me. She even gave me an Eiffel Tower keychain as a souvenir. She definitely deserves to be kerek because she's the one who got to go to Paris and not you! You're just jealous because you didn't get any souvenirs right?)
Cik Senah: Aku tengok OK je? Siap bagi aku ole-ole keychain Eiffel Tower. Tapi ha, memang patut pun dia kerek, sebab dia yang dapat pergi Paris, bukan kau! Kau ni jeles sebenarnya kan sebab kau tak dapat ole-ole?
(Cik Ani: That Sarah girl, ever since she came back from Paris the other day, she's so kerek!
Cik Senah: She seems okay to me. She even gave me an Eiffel Tower keychain as a souvenir. She definitely deserves to be kerek because she's the one who got to go to Paris and not you! You're just jealous because you didn't get any souvenirs right?)
by Kocigirl December 16, 2023
Get the Kerek mug.a loving, kindhearted soul, with the most beautiful smile. She can be a bitch to ppl but most of the time they deserve it😊.
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Get the Kebeka mug.Kerek is a Malaysian or Singaporean slang word that means haughty or arrogantly superior. Or in Malay it means "berlagak" or "eksyen".
What one needs to know about kerek is the person who is called kerek usually has a strong reason to be so and are oftentimes in a more superior position. It's often the person who calls another person kerek has a jealous undertone to their intentions.
What one needs to know about kerek is the person who is called kerek usually has a strong reason to be so and are oftentimes in a more superior position. It's often the person who calls another person kerek has a jealous undertone to their intentions.
"Kerek betul si Zara ni lepas menang pertandingan melukis haritu."
"Memang patut dia kerek, dia yang menang. Bukan kau!"
Translation:
"Zara is so kerek after winning the art competition"
"She's rightfully kerek because she's the one who won, not you!"
"Memang patut dia kerek, dia yang menang. Bukan kau!"
Translation:
"Zara is so kerek after winning the art competition"
"She's rightfully kerek because she's the one who won, not you!"
by Kocigirl December 7, 2023
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Get the Keeking mug.A person of remarkable character; someone who exudes kindness, coolness, and a magnetic, easygoing charm. A keeker is the kind of person who makes life better just by being around.
by GhostTruffle March 18, 2025
Get the Keeker mug."The spice shop owner was a total keek—hooked me up with the perfect blend and made sure I didn’t grab the spicy peri peri!"
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Get the Keek mug.A call-and-response acknowledgment of keeker status between those “in the know”. Used in social settings to recognize and affirm the presence of another keeker; A verbal cue to signal shared understanding, appreciation, or mutual respect.
"Walking through the farmer’s market, I heard someone yell ‘keek!’ —I turned and shot back a ‘keek!’ right away."
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