Irie
Also spelled: irey, iri
Meaning
Good, pleasing, or at peace — a state of everything being right. It describes both a feeling and a situation, and can be used as a greeting, an answer, or a general expression of approval.
Examples
-
“Everyting irie.”
Everything is fine.
The most common usage — a reassurance that all is well.
-
“Mi feel irie dis mawnin.”
I feel great this morning.
-
“Di vibes at di beach did irie.”
The vibe at the beach was wonderful.
Origin
Rooted in Rastafari speech, where it carries the sense of being spiritually and emotionally elevated. Often linked to English "alright" reshaped through the Rastafari practice of building words that sound positive.
How it's used
Carries more weight in Rastafari contexts, where being irie is closer to inner peace than to casual 'okay'. Widely adopted internationally through reggae, sometimes with the spiritual depth flattened out.