The following is a list of slang that is used or popularized by Generation Z (Gen Z), generally those born between the late 1990s and early 2010s in the Western world. Generation Z slang differs from slang of prior generations.[1][2] Ease of communication with the Internet facilitated the rapid proliferation of Gen Z slang.[2][3][4]
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Many Gen Z slang terms were not originally coined by Gen Z members and were already used or simply made more mainstream. Much of what is considered Gen Z slang originates from African-American Vernacular English and ball culture.[2][5][6]
A
- af/asf[7]
- Shortened version of "as fuck."
- asl[8]
- Shortened version of "as hell." Unrelated to early Internet slang, "age/sex/location."
- aura[9]
- Term that refers to the overall vibe, energy, or personality that someone gives out.
B
- based[a][10]
- Originally meaning "to be yourself and not care about how others view you", the word is now used to indicate an opinion or something that someone agrees with. It is especially common in political slang and discussions and may be used for controversial topics. Sometimes used as a positive antonym for "cringe."
- basic
- Used to denote those who prefer mainstream products, trends, and music. Derived from the term "basic bitch".[11][12][13]
- BDE[14]
- Abbreviation for "big dick energy." A term used for someone who exudes confidence and ease.
- bestie[15]
- Short for "best friend". Sometimes used jokingly with someone one does not have any relationship with.
- bet[16]
- Yes, okay, "it's on."
- bffr[17]
- Abbreviation for "Be fucking for real." Meaning "be serious" or in response to something so incredible it cannot be real.
- big yikes[18]
- Used to describe something embarrassing or cringe, particularly in response to an offensive comment.
BBL
- Acronym for "Brazilian Butt Lift." The acronym was popularised on TikTok. In May of 2024, hip-hop artist Metro Boomin released a rap beat named "BBL Drizzy."[19]
- blud
- Another word for "friend" or "bro". It is often used to describe people or animals that are out of place.[20]
- Derived from Jamaican slang and is believed to originally come from the term "blood brothers".
- boujee (US: /ˈbuːʒi/ )[21]
- High-class/materialistic. Derived from bourgeoisie.
- bop[22][23]
- A derogatory term, usually towards females, to suggest that one is overly flirtatious or promiscuous. The term can also be used to describe when an album or a song is exceptionally good.
- brainrot[24][25][26]
- Used to describe the state of a person losing touch with the real world as a result of consuming hyperstimulating or chronically online content, or the constant use of seemingly meaningless buzzwords ("skibidi", "fanum tax", "rizz", etc). Derived from a euphemism that one's brain would "rot", or that one has "brain rot", by overconsumption of stimulating content.
- bruh (/brʌ/ )
- Term used to express a feeling of shock, embarrassment, or disappointment toward something or someone.[27][28]
- bussin'[29]
- Extremely good, excellent. Also used to describe good food. Originated from African-American vernacular as a way of complimenting good food. Though not related, it has also been used as a derogative term for ejaculation.
- bussy[30]
- Portmanteau of "boy" and "pussy" (slang for the vagina). Effectively a man's anus. (See also: -ussy)
C
- cap[31][32]
- To lie.
- caught in 4K[33]
- Refers to someone being indisputably caught doing something wrong or incriminating on camera or with evidence to prove it, referencing 4K resolution
- clapback[34]
- Swift and witty response to an insult or critique.
- cook[35][36]
- To "cook", as a verb, is to prepare or initiate a situation with the intent of creating a result. When a person is "cooked", as an adjective, they are in the state of being in any sort of danger, physical, emotional, of failure, or of reputation.
D
- dab[37]
- A dance move used as a gesture of triumph. The move originated in Japanese popular culture with shows such as Dragon Ball and Super Sentai before being adopted by rap groups in the 2010s.
- dead/ded[38][39]
- Used to describe something humorous to such an extent as to "kill you." Laughter and death as a combined concept have been present since Ancient Greece, where it is held that Zeuxis died from laughing at a portrait of an ugly woman he was painting.
- delusionship[40][41][42]
- A relationship in which someone holds unrealistic or overly idealistic beliefs. A person who holds such beliefs is called a "delulu".
- dogs[43][44][45]
- Slang term for toes.
- drip[46]
- Trendy high-class fashion.
E
- era[47]
- Term used to label a person's current interests or priorities.
F
- fire[48]
- Term used to describe that something is impressive, good, or cool. Also see lit.
- fit/Fit check[49]
- Term used to highlight or bring attention to one's outfit. Also used as a shortened version of "outfit."
- finna[50]
- Shortened term for saying "I'm going to". The term has its roots in Southern American English, where "fixing to" was originally used to mean "getting ready for something" in the 18th century.
G
- gagged[51]
- To be shocked, amazed, or at a loss for words.
- ghost[52][53][54][55]
- Ending communication or contact with someone without warning.
- girlboss[56]
- A female entrepreneur who succeeds in the male-dominated business world, an empowered woman. Popularized in 2014 through Sophia Amorusos autobiography #GIRLBOSS.
- glaze[57][58][59]
- To over-hype, praise, or compliment someone to the point where it becomes annoying or cringeworthy.
- glizzy[60][61][62][63]
- A hot dog. Popularized in 2020, possibly from the Washington metropolitan area, and possibly originating from the slang term "glizzy" for a Glock handgun (approximately the same length as a hot dog).
- glow-up[64]
- A major improvement in one's self, usually an improvement in appearance, confidence, and style. Frequently used in a context relating to puberty. On the other hand, "glow-down" is a situation where someone's appearance has declined.
- GOAT[65]
- Acronym for the phrase "greatest of all time".
- gooning[66][67][68]
- Activity involving excessive and/or prolonged masturbation. Is considered to be an extreme version of edging.
- Gucci (/ˈɡuːtʃi/ )[69]
- Meaning good, cool, fashionable, or excellent. Used to express approval or satisfaction for something. Originated from the famous luxury brand Gucci.
H
- hits different[4]
- Something better in a peculiar manner. Originates from fans of YouTubers Daniel Howell and Phil Lester. In 2019, Howell came out as gay; his fans subsequently posted clips of him and Lester together, with the term "hits different" in the titles. Beginning in July 2019, it spread out of the gay community.
I
- ick[70]
- Term used to refer to a sudden feeling of disgust or repulsion to a dating partner someone was previously attracted to.
- IJBOL (/ˈidʒ.boʊl/)[71][72]
- An acronym for the phrase "I just burst out laughing", a version of "lmao."
- I oop[73]
- Used to express shock, embarrassment, and or amusement.
- iPad kid[74][75][76][77][78][79][80][81][82]
- Derogatory term describing Generation Alpha children who spend most of their time staring at phone or tablet screens. The term was popularized in January 2021 after a 21-year-old Gen Z TikToker criticized Millennial parents for allowing excessive screen time for their children, saying "I need everyone else in my generation to promise that we are not going to raise 'iPad children.' ... You've been shoving media and screens in these kids' faces since birth." He concludes: "Gen Z isn't allowed to raise iPad kids." The viral video garnered more than 525 million views on TikTok.
- it's giving[83][84]
- Describe the attitude or connotation of something or someone. Can also be used to give general admiration toward something.
- iykyk[85]
- Acronym for "If you know, you know." Used to describe inside jokes.
J
- jit[86]
- A younger person, is usually used as an insult against someone who is seen as inexperienced.
K
L
- Lit[91]
- Something remarkable, interesting, fun, or amusing. Generally positive. Semantically the same as cool of earlier generations, but contradicts the former's normative semantics.
- looksmaxxing[92]
- A term originating from incel message boards referring to attempts (often pseudoscientific ones) to maximize physical attractiveness.
- living rent-free[93][94]
- When a person is resentful towards another person, that person is described as living rent-free in the second person's head.
M
- main character[95][96]
- Used to describe someone who is or wants to be the star of their own life. Often used to refer to someone who wants to be the center of attention.
- mew[97][98][99]
- A pseudoscientific method to restructure someone's jawline by pressing their tongue to the roof of their mouth. Originally coined by controversial British dentist, John Mew, and his son, Mike. The term became popular in the late 2010s and on TikTok.
- mid[100]
- Labeling something as average or not special. Sometimes used in a negative or insulting way.
- moot/moots[101][102]
- Short for "mutuals" or "mutual followers."
- mogging[103]
- To be more attractive than others.
N
- Netflix and chill[104][105]
- To watch Netflix with a romantic prospect, often with the eventual expectation of sexual activity.
- NPC[106]
- Someone who cannot think for themselves and/or has no or little control over their own life, is ready to agree with popular opinion unquestioningly, and always believes what they are told, or someone who acts similar to an NPC (NPC) in a video game. First gained popularity in late 2018 around the United States Midterm elections, where it was frequently used by supporters of then U.S. president Donald Trump to mock his opponents.
- nyaa[107][108]
- Cat noise, often used in contexts evoking cuteness. It is onomatopoeic, from a vocalization of a domestic cat.
O
- Ohio[109][110]
- Slang meaning for strange, weird, cringe, and dumb. Originally referred to the U.S. State of Ohio. It gained widespread popularity in 2020 as a meme that humorously labeled Ohio as a weird place where only bizarre and random things happened.
- OK boomer[111][112][113]
- Pejorative directed toward members of the Baby Boomer generation, used to dismiss or mock attitudes typically associated with baby boomers as out of date.
- oof[114][115]
- Used to express discomfort, surprise, dismay, or sympathy for someone else's pain.
- oomf[116]
- Abbreviation for "One of My Followers".
- opp[117]
- Short for opposition or enemies; describes an individual's opponents. A secondary, older definition has the term be short for "other peoples' pussy." Originated from street and gang culture. Dexerto claims that the primary definition stems from the secondary one, which was derived from a 1991 Naughty by Nature song titled "O.P.P." The initialism was derived from the acronym "OPM," which was used in the neighborhood the group grew up in and stood for "other people's money." An example of the term being used in popular culture is also in the Gangsta rap scene, with YBN Nahmir and his song "Opp Stoppa". Dictionary.com implies that the origins for the two meanings had little to do with each other.
- out of pocket[118][3]
- To be crazy, wild, or extreme, sometimes to an extent that is considered too far.
- owned[119][120]
- Used to refer to defeat in a video game, or domination of an opposition. Also less commonly used to describe defeat in sports. Originated in the 1990s as a term used to describe hackers gaining administrative control over another person's computer.
P
- periodt[121]
- Used as an interjection to indicate that the preceding statement is final and that there is nothing more to be said about it. Similar to the British term "full stop." Originated as "period" in the early 1900s. The addition of the "t" stems from Southern Black Gay English. Spread in the 2010s via the City Girls rap duo. Entered into the mainstream in 2019, in part due to Black Twitter. The T is based on a common trend in Black English where T is used as a replacement for D.
- pick-me[122][123][124]
- Someone who seeks validation by trying to stand out, often putting down others in their gender or group to gain favor or attention.
- pluh[125]
- Used as a conversation stopper when there is nothing left to say.
- pookie[126][127][128]
- An endearing nickname for a close friend or lover. Originates from a German term of endearment in the 1900s. Also used as a pet name.
Q
R
- rank (noun)
- A contraction of 'rancid', it is used to describe something disgusting, especially a smell.
- ratio (noun)[129]
- When a post, particularly on Twitter, receives more replies than retweets and likes combined. It can also been used for when a reply has better reception and more likes than the original post being replied to. Originates from the mathematical term "ratio" which compares the quantitative relationship between a set of numbers.
- red flag[130][131][132]
- A warning sign indicating behaviors or characteristics within a relationship that may potentially be harmful or toxic. Oppositely, a green flag indicates positive aspects or healthy behaviors. The use of the term red flag as a warning traces back to the 18th century. Historically, red flags were used as signals during wars or battles to indicate danger. The term green flag comes from the use of green-colored flags indicating permission to proceed. The concept of 'beige flags' has gained popularity to represent behaviors that are neither positive nor negative, but rather depend on individual preferences or boundaries.
- rizz (/ˈrɪz/ )[133]
- One's charm/seduction skills. Derived from charisma.
- Roman Empire[134]
- A random event, person, incident, or thing that fascinates or intrigues one to the point that one is frequently thinking about it. Originated in 2023 after influencer Saskia Cort encouraged her Instagram followers to ask their male partners how often they thought about the Roman Empire, to which many answered quite often. The term spread internationally and evolved to mean something that frequently occupies one's thoughts. It has also morphed into a joke about how often people think about/mention the Roman Empire.
S
- salty[135]
- Used to describe someone who is behaving or expressing themselves in a resentful, bitter, or irritated manner. Originally referred to "racy" or "vulgar" sailors in the 1800s.
- secure the bag[136]
- The act of someone working to reach their goals, usually referring to making money. Started in hip-hop culture and used as the opposite of the phrase "fumble the bag." The phrase first appeared on Urban Dictionary in 2017. Likely popularized by songs with the same title by Gucci Mane and Lil Uzi Vert.
- sheesh (/ʃiʃ/ )[31][137][138]
- To praise someone when they are doing something good. The vowels are often emphasized, as in "sheeesh". The one being praised is to do the "ice in my veins" pose popularized by Basketball player D'Angelo Russell. Believed to be a variation of another word such as "jeez," "Jesus," or "shit." First used in 1955 as a word to express "disappointment, annoyance or surprise."
- shook[139][140]
- To be shocked, surprised, or bothered. Became prominent in hip-hop starting in the 1990s, when it began to be used as a standalone adjective for uncontrollable emotions. One famous example is Mobb Deep's 1995 single Shook Ones, Part II. See also shooketh.
- sigma[141]
- An independent male on top of the social hierarchy. From the Greek letter, sigma (Σ), often used above A (as Latin S) in numerical tier lists.
- simp (/sɪmp/ )[142][143]
- Sycophancy, being overly affectionate in pursuit of a sexual relationship.
- situationship[144][145][146][147][148][149][150]
- Refers to an ambiguous romantic relationship where all parties have mutual feelings for one another, but said feelings are not clearly defined; a mid-point between dating and not dating.
- skibidi[151][152][153]
- Nonce word, is often used for a comedic or exaggerating effect. From Skibidi Toilet.
- sksksk[154][155]
- Used to convey happiness/laughter. A form of keysmashing. The earliest known usage is by Brazilian users on Twitter. Used by various British, African-American, and gay communities before becoming associated with stan Twitter in 2019. Became associated with VSCO girls. Similar forms can be found regionally, like the Indonesian "Wkwkwk" or the Korean "kkkk."
- slaps[156]
- Used to refer to something that is perceived to be good, particularly used when referring to music.
- slay[157]
- To do something well.
- snatched[158][159]
- Amazing, attractive, or flawlessly styled. Sometimes used to particularly describe a person as having a narrow waist.
- stan[160][161]
- Supporting something to an extreme degree. Specifically used in cases of overzealous or obsessive support of celebrities.
- sus[162][163]
- Short term for suspect/suspicious. Popularized in 2018 by players of the online video game Among Us and received mainstream usage with the game's explosion in popularity in mid-2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Merriam Websters, the term has been in use among English speakers since at least the 1960s.
- sussy baka
- A combination of "sus" and baka, the Japanese word for "fool." Stemmed from TikToker Akeam Francis.
- skill issue[164][165]
- Refers to a situation where a person's lack of ability or proficiency is seen as the cause of their failure or difficulty in completing a task.
T
- tea[166][83]
- Secret information or rumors. Originates from Black drag culture of the 1990s. The letter "t" stood for "truth". "Spilling the tea" means to share gossip or rumors.
- touch grass[167][168]
- A way of telling someone to "go outside", usually after said person is believed to have been online for too long. Believed to have originated in 2015, before experiencing a resurgence in 2020–2021.
- tweaking[169][170]
- To be acting strangely or thinking that someone is hallucinating.
U
- understood the assignment[171]
- To understand what was supposed to be done; to do something well. Popularized by American rapper Tay Money's 2021 song "The Assignment". She posted a video on TikTok stating that she "understood the assignment."
- uwu (/ˈuːwuː/ )[27][172][173]
- Used to portray happiness or one wanting to appear cute. Used more or less as an expression. Became popular in the 2000s. The expression is commonly associated with furries, femboys, and anime fandoms.
V
- valid[174]
- Seen as socially acceptable.
- Gained prominence in Tumblr (and later, TikTok) discourse regarding the acceptability of a given behavior, person, or thing.
- vibe check[175][176]
- To check one's personality or attitude.
- VSCO girl[177][178][179]
- A stereotypical white girl who often takes trendy and "basic" pictures of themself to later edit and post online. Named after VSCO, a photography app released in 2011. The term "VSCO girl" originated in late 2018 and was popularized in 2019 on social media platforms such as TikTok where it became a trendy Internet aesthetic. The phrase has since fallen out of popularity in late 2019.
W
- wig[180]
- To do something so well as to "make one's wig fly off." Unrelated to wig out. Originated from Black LGBT ballroom culture. American singer Katy Perry is generally credited with propagating the word into the mainstream after using it to compliment a contestant on American Idol in 2018.
Y
- yap[181]
- To talk too much; To say many words without the words meaning anything. Speculated to be used as early as 1592 to express annoyance and irritation. Became a TikTok trend in 2023 for someone who talks too much, or whose talking doesn't make sense.
- yeet (/jiːt/ )[182][13][183]
- To throw something with force and without regard. Also used as a generic positive exclamation.
Notes
- Used in praise of controversial opinions. Often used by political communities, especially right-wing ones.
References
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