Generation Z slang differs significantly from slang terminology of prior generations in history in that Gen Z was the first generation to grow up entirely within the internet age. Due to this, much of their slang originates from online media such as social media apps like TikTok, YouTube, or Twitch.
Here are some of the most popular Gen Z words making the rounds right now (and that I've heard coming out of teens' mouths in my own home) with definitions from dictionary.com, Urban Dictionary and USA Today. Bet — a term of affirmation, agreement or approval. Want to grab some food? Bet!
“Yeet” is a versatile word that Gen Z's use as an exclamation, a verb, or even a noun. As an exclamation it can be used to express excitement, usually happily but also nervously. It can also be used as an exclamation of victory, or as a battle cry or focus-shout while throwing or hitting something, like "HIII-YA".
The Collins Dictionary define Generation Z as "members of the generation of people born between the mid-1990s and mid-2010s who are seen as confident users of new technology". The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines Generation Z as "the generation of people born in the late 1990s and early 2000s."
List
Slang Term | Definition |
---|---|
L+Ratio | Response to a comment or action on the internet that is particularly bad. |
Lit | Colloquially: "Enlightened", "Hot", "Fire." The new hotness; something remarkable, interesting, fun or amusing. Generally positive. |
Mid | Short for mediocre |
Not you | Used to condemn or poke fun at someone or something. |
GENERATION Y OR THE MILLENNIALS: DIGITAL NATIVES The revolution was shaped by the millennials or generation Y. Also known as digital natives, millennials are those born between 1982 and 1994 and technology is part of their everyday lives: all their activities are mediated by a screen.
Wall said using “slay,” which to Generation Z means “good job” or “killing it,” is one of the many examples of how she and some of her older colleagues miscommunicate. Miscommunication also happens through uses of punctuation, phrases and emoji. Cringe Quiz: Are you fluent in Gen-Z office speak?
The Brookings Institution defines the millennial generation as people born from 1981 to 1996, as does Gallup, Federal Reserve Board, American Psychological Association, CBS, and ABC Australia. Australia's McCrindle Research uses 1980–1994 as Generation Y (millennial) birth years.
“Yeet” is a versatile word that Gen Z's use as an exclamation, a verb, or even a noun. As an exclamation it can be used to express excitement, usually happily but also nervously. It can also be used as an exclamation of victory, or as a battle cry or focus-shout while throwing or hitting something, like "HIII-YA".
Generation Z (or more commonly Gen Z for short), colloquially known as zoomers, is the demographic cohort succeeding Millennials and preceding Generation Alpha. Researchers and popular media use the mid-to-late 1990s as starting birth years and the early 2010s as ending birth years.
Sussy Baka, made up of the terms "sussy," meaning suspicious (originating from the video game Among Us ), and "baka," meaning "fool" in Japanese, refers to a number of videos by TikToker Akeam Francis in which he says variations of the phrase, "you're such a sussy baka." Felecia 1y ago.
“Sussy” and “sus” are words used in the videogame Among Us to describe someone shifty or suspicious, whilst baka means “fool” in Japanese. So to be a sussy baka is to be a suspicious fool, presumably – although it appears that the meme has taken this meaning and ran with it a little.
Gen Z is currently the smallest adult population in U.S. Members of Gen Z age 18 or older only make up 10.3% of the total U.S. population, compared to the largest generation, millennials, who make up nearly 22%. Even once all of Gen Z are grown, they'll still be a smaller generation than millennials.
Generational definitions are most useful when they span a set age range and so allow meaningful comparisons across generations. That is why the generations today each span 15 years with Generation Y (Millennials) born from 1980 to 1994; Generation Z from 1995 to 2009 and Generation Alpha from 2010 to 2024.
Bougie is a slang word that you hear in everyday conversations and in the media. noun: Someone who's considered middle class yet wants to be upper class and is determined to live a wealthier, flashier, more lavish lifestyle (designer labels) Adjective: high-class, fancy, materialistic, snobby. Helpful(2) Angela.