Irie
/ EYE-ree /Quick answer: Irie (pronounced EYE-ree) is good, nice, at peace — and a friendly greeting.
What does Irie mean?
Irie means good, nice, pleasant or at peace. It describes a mood, a vibe, a place or a person, and it is also used as a greeting or reply: ‘Wah gwaan?’ — ‘Irie!’ (all good).
Where does Irie come from?
The word comes from Rastafari speech, which reshapes words around the sound ‘I’ to express positivity and unity with Jah. Its exact source is debated; many link it to ‘all right’ or to the Rasta use of ‘I’. Reggae music carried it around the world in the 1970s.
How to use Irie
Today irie is used by Jamaicans of all backgrounds and is one of the best-known Patois words abroad, used in hotel names, songs and tourism slogans.
| Jamaican Patois | English |
|---|---|
| Everyting irie. | Everything is fine. |
| Di vibes irie tonight. | The vibe is great tonight. |
| How yuh feel? — Irie! | How do you feel? — Great! |
Other spellings
Because Patois is mostly spoken, spellings vary. You may also see: ire, irie mon.
Related Patois words
Everyting irie · Criss · Bless up · I an I
Frequently asked
Is irie a greeting?
Yes — you can say irie as hello or as a reply meaning ‘all good’.
Is irie only used by Rastas?
It started in Rastafari speech but is now used by everyone.
Look up more words in the Jamaican Patois Dictionary, or see Irie in the dictionary.