What Does NPC Meaning Slang?

[Isabella]

I keep seeing the term npc meaning slang all over TikTok, Instagram, and in comment sections, but I’m not totally sure what it really means. Sometimes people use it as a joke, and other times it seems kind of insulting. Is it related to gaming?

 

[Frence Luiz]

I came across this thread while looking for an explanation of NPC myself and I think it's really interesting to see how the term has evolved over time. Originally, it referred to non-player characters in video games but it's now used more casually to describe people who are seen as robotic or unresponsive, often used in a humorous or ironic way to describe someone who's being a bit too polite or awkward in social situations.

 

[Andre Smith]

Yeah, it’s from gaming, NPC means “non-player character,” like those background characters in games that just repeat the same lines. Online, people use it jokingly (or kinda insultingly) to say someone’s acting basic, scripted, or not thinking for themselves.

 

[Thomas]

NPC stands for “Non-Player Character.” The term comes from video games, where a Minecraft NPC follows preset scripts and isn’t controlled by a player. In slang, calling someone an “NPC” means they seem unoriginal, predictable, or just following trends without thinking independently. It’s often used humorously online, but can sometimes be insulting.

 

[Diego]

In slang, NPC stands for “Non-Player Character,” borrowed from video games. Online, it’s used to describe someone who seems to follow routines, lacks independent thought, or repeats popular opinions without original input. For example, “He’s acting like an NPC” means the person is behaving predictably or unoriginally in conversations or on social media.