Definition of manifesting

Short definition: The slang word manifesting means strongly believing, visualizing, or talking about something you want as if it will happen, often in a hopeful or playful way, especially when people joke about “speaking things into existence.”

Looking for a clear and natural explanation of the slang word manifesting? The word manifesting is very popular in modern online culture, especially on social media. People use it when talking about hopes, goals, and positive thinking, often in a playful or confident way. Sometimes it sounds serious and motivational, and sometimes it is used jokingly or ironically. In slang, it is less about science and more about mindset, belief, and intention. Below, each meaning is explained in a calm and natural way, so it feels human, clear, and easy to recognize in real conversations.

Forms: manifesting, manifest, manifested
Related: intention n., belief n., affirmation n.
Syllable: man-i-fest-ing

1. (Slang · Noun) The act of believing strongly that something good will happen by thinking and speaking it into existence.

   In slang, manifesting means focusing your thoughts and words on a desired outcome and believing it will happen, often said confidently even before there is real proof, as a way to stay positive or motivate yourself.

   She posted that she was manifesting a new job offer even though she had not heard back yet.
   He said he was manifesting good grades all semester to stay motivated and calm.
   People in the comments kept saying they were manifesting a win for their favorite team.

   Synonyms: positive thinking, visualization, affirming goals, hoping out loud, belief practice, mindset work, goal imagining, intention setting, confidence talk, wishful focus, optimistic thinking, future imagining
   Antonyms: doubting, pessimism, negative thinking, giving up, hopelessness, disbelief, expecting failure, skepticism, discouragement, loss of faith, negative mindset, defeatism

2. (Slang · Verb) To say or think something confidently as if it is already going to happen.

   To manifest something in slang means to talk about a desired result with confidence, sometimes half jokingly, as if saying it out loud will help make it real.

   I am manifesting a vacation this year even though I have not planned it yet.
   She laughed and said she was manifesting clear skin before the big event.
   He typed that he was manifesting success just to stay in a positive mood.

   Synonyms: affirm, speak into existence, visualize, claim confidently, say it will happen, positive talk, self encourage, hype yourself up, intention talk, mindset talk, hopeful speaking, belief speaking
   Antonyms: doubt aloud, complain, expect failure, speak negatively, discourage yourself, downplay hopes, deny possibility, reject optimism, talk yourself down, lose confidence, spread negativity, undermine belief

3. (Slang) A playful or ironic way to joke about wanting something badly.

   In casual online use, manifesting is often said humorously to joke about wishing for something unlikely, showing hope without taking it too seriously.

   He joked that he was manifesting free coffee every morning.
   She commented manifesting on the post even though she knew it was unrealistic.
   Fans were manifesting a surprise album drop just for fun.

   Synonyms: joking wish, playful hope, ironic optimism, wishful joke, lighthearted belief, hopeful humor, casual wishing, meme wish, fun intention, joking affirmation, playful dreaming, internet humor
   Antonyms: serious planning, realistic thinking, grounded expectation, practical approach, factual mindset, evidence based thinking, sober judgment, realism, careful planning, logical outlook, no nonsense view, pragmatic thinking