Top Gen Z Slang Terms: Meaning & Their Use

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It’s hard to keep up with all the new slang words, especially when they keep changing so fast. If you ever feel confused by Gen Z slang, you’re not alone.

But don’t worry, this blog is here to help.

We’ll show you more than 50 Gen Z slang words and phrases, so you can understand what’s being said and stay in the loop.

Disclaimer: Gen Z slang isn’t for millennials, boomers, or even the average human to casually throw around. No one, not even Gen Z uses most of these words irl. Trust us when we say that your Gen Z kids will appreciate you not trying to be cringy but props to you for trying to understand. If you don’t understand what irl, cringe, or props mean, this blog will tell you.

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What is Gen Z Slang?

Gen Z slang is the type of language used by people born between 1997 and 2012, known as Generation Z. This slang is often created and spread through social media and internet culture.

It’s always changing and can be hard to keep track of, but it reflects the ideas and experiences of today’s youth.

The Influence of Social Media

Social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter play a huge role in spreading Gen Z slang. These platforms help make new slang terms go viral, meaning they can become popular in just a short time.

TikTok, in particular, helps slang spread quickly through short videos, while Instagram and Twitter help spread memes and trends to a larger audience.

Key Influences on Gen Z Slang

Different groups and communities, such as the LGBTQ+ community and Black culture shape the slang used by Gen Z. Words like “tea” (gossip) and “slay” (to look great) came from these communities.

Gen Z tends to embrace a more diverse and inclusive approach to language, using words that come from various backgrounds and cultures.

Popular Gen Z Slang Terms

Gen Z slang includes many interesting terms, each with its own meaning. Let’s explore some of the most popular ones.

Cool and Trendy Terms

These words are used to talk about things that are cool, trendy, or impressive.

Slang Term	Meaning	Example in a Sentence	What it Doesn’t Mean
Stan	To strongly support or admire	"I stan Billie Eilish’s new album."	Not just liking something.
Slaps	Really good (often music)	"This new song slaps hard!"	Not about hitting.
Vibe	Feeling or atmosphere	"The vibe at the concert was amazing."	Not just any feeling.
Lit	Exciting, fun, or awesome	"The party was lit last night!"	Not about stuff being on fire.
No Cap	No lie, being truthful	"That movie was no cap the best I’ve seen."	Not about hats.
Bet	Agreement or confirmation	"We’re going to the movies? Bet!"	Not about gambling.
Cap	Lie, untruthful	"That sounds like cap to me."	Not a hat.
Flex	Show off or boast	"He’s always flexing his new sneakers."	Not about muscles.
Tea	Gossip or juicy details	"Spill the tea! What happened last night?"	Not the drink.
FOMO	Fear of missing out	"I got FOMO after seeing everyone at the concert."	Not just missing out.
Boujee	Fancy, high-class	"She’s always wearing boujee outfits."	Not about being snobby.
Clout	Influence or popularity, especially online	"He’s doing it just for the clout."	Not about strength.
Shook	Surprised or shocked	"I’m shook by that plot twist!"	Not about shaking.
No Chill	Being overly dramatic or intense	"She had no chill during the argument."	Not about being calm.
Lowkey	Secretly or subtly	"I lowkey want to see that movie."	Not about being quiet.

Gen Z Slang for Appearance and Personality

These terms are used to describe how someone looks or their personality.

Slang Term	Meaning	Example in a Sentence	What it Doesn’t Mean
Drip	Cool style or fashion	"That outfit is all drip."	Not water, seriously.
Baddie	A confident, attractive person	"She’s such a baddie!"	Not just about being a model.
Gucci	Good, well, or okay	"Everything’s Gucci!"	Not the brand.
Snack	Someone who looks attractive	"He’s a whole snack."	Not about food.
Finesse	To handle something smoothly	"She finessed that situation perfectly."	Not about tricking people.
Tatted	Having tattoos	"He’s all tatted up."	Not about being physically injured.
Woke	Being socially aware or conscious	"She’s woke about politics."	Not about just waking up.
Zaddy	A good-looking, confident man	"He’s looking like a total zaddy today."	Not just an older man and don’t say that in front of anyone.
Glow Up	A big improvement in appearance	"She had a major glow-up."	Not just putting on makeup.
Rachet	Being loud or rude	"That party was rachet."	Not a literal machine.

Fun and Quirky Gen Z Slang

These words are more playful and lighthearted, used in everyday conversation.

Slang Term	Meaning	Example in a Sentence	What it Doesn’t Mean
YEET	To throw something with force	"I yeeted the ball across the field."	Not just saying "yes" or agreeing.
Sus	Suspicious or shady	"That guy seems sus."	Not about being a suspect in a crime.
Mood	A relatable feeling or emotion	"That’s such a mood."	Not just about being in a mood.
Dead	Something so funny it’s unbelievable	"I’m dead, that joke was hilarious."	Not literally dead.
Lowkey	Subtle or quiet	"Lowkey, I’m into that idea."	Not about being quiet like a mouse.
Highkey	The opposite of lowkey, obvious	"I highkey love pizza."	Not about being loud or noisy.
Lurk	To secretly watch or stalk	"She’s been lurking on Instagram all day."	Not about hiding in a corner.
Big Mood	A strong emotion or vibe	"That’s a big mood."	Not about being a giant feeling.
Vibing	Enjoying or relaxing	"I’m just vibing at home today."	Not about listening to music only.
Ghost	To suddenly stop responding to someone	"He ghosted me after our date."	Not about disappearing in real life.

Gen Z Slang in Pop Culture

Gen Z slang is not just used in personal conversations, it’s also part of music, movies, and other parts of pop culture.

Slang Term	Meaning	Example in a Sentence	What it Doesn’t Mean
Fam	Close friends or family	"I’m hanging out with my fam this weekend."	Not just any group of people.
Cringe	Something awkward or uncomfortable	"That video was so cringe!"	Not just something embarrassing.
Mood	Feeling or state of mind	"That’s such a mood!"	Not just an emotion.
Hype	Excitement or buzz around something	"The hype around the new game is real."	Not just excitement in general.
Sus	Suspicious or shady	"That’s kinda sus, don’t you think?"	Not about a person being undercover.
Bop	A good song or tune	"This track is such a bop!"	Not about hitting something.
Wavy	Cool or amazing	"That outfit is wavy."	Not about water.
Dead	Something hilarious or funny	"I’m dead after that joke!"	Not about actually dying.
Yass	Expressing excitement or approval	"Yass, you slayed that performance!"	Not about saying yes.
Lituation	A situation that’s cool or fun	"This party is a whole lituation!"	Not about a regular event.
Real Talk	Speaking truthfully or honestly	"Real talk, this movie was amazing."	Not about having a conversation.
Savage	Bold or fearless behavior	"That was a savage move!"	Not about being violent.
Snatched	Looking amazing or flawless	"She looks snatched in that dress!"	Not about physical removal.
Litty	A variation of "lit," meaning really fun or exciting	"The concert was litty!"	Not about something small or boring.
G.O.A.T	Acronym for greatest of all time	"Messi is the G.O.A.T"	Not about the animal.

Popular Gen Z Slang Phrases

Gen Z uses creative and funny phrases to express themselves, often blending internet trends and daily experiences. These phrases reflect their humor, individuality, and knack for turning ordinary words into something iconic.

Phrase	Meaning	Usage Example	What It Doesn’t Mean
Not me doing this...	Playfully admitting to doing something awkward or funny	"Not me spilling my coffee at the coffee shop."	Not about refusing to do something.
It’s giving [vibe/thing]	Describes something with a specific aesthetic or energy	"This reel? It’s giving high-quality content."	Not about physically giving something away.
I can’t even	Expressing extreme frustration or disbelief	"That vibe check during class? I can’t even."	Not about actually not handling something.
Catch flights, not feelings	Focusing on fun and freedom instead of relationships	"After that breakup, I’m catching flights, not feelings."	Not about literally avoiding emotions.
I’m screaming	Used when something is extremely funny	"He fell during the vibe check? I’m screaming!"	Not about literally yelling.
We move	Moving on despite challenges	"The coffee shop canceled my order, but we move."	Not about physically moving somewhere.
Say it louder for the people in the back	Agreeing emphatically or making a point clear	"Gen Z is more environmentally conscious—say it louder for the baby boomers in the back!"	Not about increasing your volume in real life.
You understood the assignment	Successfully completing or excelling at something	"Her speech was flawless—she understood the assignment."	Not about doing homework.
Love that for you	Supporting or congratulating someone in a playful way	"You got promoted? Love that for you."	Not about romantic love.
We’re not the same	Bragging humorously about being unique	"He edits videos in 4K? We’re not the same."	Not about being literally different people.
This ain’t it	Calling out something as wrong or disappointing	"A $7 latte? This coffee shop ain’t it."	Not about missing something physically.
Alexa, play [song]	Reacting dramatically to a situation	"That test ruined me—Alexa, play ‘drivers license.’"	Not about actually using Alexa.
I can’t with you	Playfully expressing annoyance or disbelief	"You forgot to vibe check the playlist? I can’t with you."	Not about being unable to interact.
That’s on [topic/trait]	Stating the cause or principle behind something	"I overslept again? That’s on binge-watching."	Not about actually blaming someone.
Big [trait/energy] vibes	Describing a significant energy or mood	"Her confidence during the presentation? Big high-key vibes."	Not about measuring physical size.

Understanding the Differences: Millennial Slang vs Gen Z Slang vs Gen Alpha Slang

Slang reflects the personality of each generation, shaped by their cultural and technological environment.

Let’s explore how Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha express similar ideas in unique ways. But first, let’s quickly define the age ranges for each generation:

Millennials: Born between 1981 and 1996 (currently aged 28-43).
Gen Z: Born between 1997 and 2012 (currently aged 11-26).
Gen Alpha: Born from 2013 onward (currently aged up to 10).

(Note: Since Gen Alpha is fairly new, there might be some overlap with the Gen Z slang.)

Concept	Millennial Slang	Gen Z Slang	Gen Alpha Slang
Complimenting Someone	On Fleek (perfect)	Snatched (stylish)	Drip (fashionable)
Excitement	Lit (amazing)	Hyped (energized)	Gas (extremely excited)
Telling the Truth	No Cap (honest)	Bet (confirmed)	Real Talk (serious)
Feeling Awkward	Cringe (awkward)	Shook (surprised)	Skibidi Toilet (awkward, absurd)
Gossip	Tea (drama)	Spill the Tea (share gossip)	Chill (casual talk)
Love/Admiration	Bae (significant other)	Crush (romantic interest)	Rizz (flirting skill)
Being Stylish	Swag (cool style)	Vibe (aura)	Flex (showing off style)

Gen Z Slang Quiz to Test Your Knowledge

Are you truly fluent in Gen Z slang? Test your knowledge with these fun quiz questions and see how well you know the latest terms and trends! Ready to prove you’re a slang expert?

Let’s get started!

Sr. No	Sentence	Correct or Incorrect?
1.	"That party was so lit, we had an amazing time dancing!"	Correct / Incorrect
2.	"I can’t believe he just flexed his new shoes in front of everyone."	Correct / Incorrect
3.	"She was acting so sus when she didn't want to hang out with us."	Correct / Incorrect
4.	"I just spilled the tea about our project, it’s going to be great!"	Correct / Incorrect
5.	"I’m totally gas about the new movie coming out this weekend!"	Correct / Incorrect
6.	"That outfit is so snatched, I want one just like it!"	Correct / Incorrect
7.	"I got so rizzed up at the party last night, everyone was flirting!"	Correct / Incorrect
8.	"You’re so woke, you always know what’s going on!"	Correct / Incorrect
9.	"His new drip is looking fire, he’s got the best style."	Correct / Incorrect
10.	"That new trend is so skibidi toilet, I can’t even explain it."	Correct / Incorrect
11.	"I’m so done, everything feels like a vibe lately."	Correct / Incorrect
12.	"They’re trying to throw shade at her for no reason."	Correct / Incorrect
13.	"I don’t get the point of all these clout-chasers, it’s annoying."	Correct / Incorrect
14.	"She’s such a stan for that band, she knows all the lyrics!"	Correct / Incorrect
15.	"Stop being extra, nobody wants to hear your drama."	Correct / Incorrect

Quiz Answers

"That party was so lit, we had an amazing time dancing!"
Answer: Correct. "Lit" means something was exciting or fun.
"I can’t believe he just flexed his new shoes in front of everyone."
Answer: Correct. "Flexed" means to show off.
"She was acting so sus when she didn't want to hang out with us."
Answer: Correct. "Sus" is short for "suspicious."
"I just spilled the tea about our project, it’s going to be great!"
Answer: Incorrect. "Spilled the tea" refers to sharing gossip, not about a project.
"I’m totally gas about the new movie coming out this weekend!"
Answer: Correct. "Gas" means to be excited or hyped about something.
"That outfit is so snatched, I want one just like it!"
Answer: Correct. "Snatched" means looking stylish or flawless.
"I got so rizzed up at the party last night, everyone was flirting!"
Answer: Incorrect. "Rizz" refers to flirting skills, not being "rizzed up."
"You’re so woke, you always know what’s going on!"
Answer: Correct. "Woke" originally refers to being socially aware.
"His new drip is looking fire, he’s got the best style."
Answer: Correct. "Drip" refers to someone's fashion, and "fire" means something is amazing.
"That new trend is so skibidi toilet, I can’t even explain it."
Answer: Correct. "Skibidi toilet" refers to something absurd or quirky.
"I’m so done, everything feels like a vibe lately."
Answer: Incorrect. "Vibe" refers to something with good energy, but "done" doesn’t fit here.
"They’re trying to throw shade at her for no reason."
Answer: Correct. "Throw shade" means to insult or criticize someone indirectly.
"I don’t get the point of all these clout-chasers, it’s annoying."
Answer: Correct. "Clout-chasers" refers to people seeking attention or fame.
"She’s such a stan for that band, she knows all the lyrics!"
Answer: Correct. "Stan" means being a big fan or supporter of something.
"Stop being extra, nobody wants to hear your drama."
Answer: Correct. "Extra" means being dramatic or over the top.

In Conclusion

Gen Z slang is important because it shows how young people communicate today. It helps them express themselves in fun and creative ways.

Knowing these terms helps you stay up to date with what's cool and relevant. It also shows you understand the latest trends, whether on social media or in everyday life.

Gen Z slang is always changing, and it’s a big part of today’s culture. CollegeEssay.org is always aiming to spread knowledge and help those in need.

By learning these terms, you can keep up with how people talk and what they care about.

What’s your favorite Gen Z slang? Share it with us!

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WRITTEN BY

Betty P. (Literature)

Betty is a freelance writer and researcher. She has a Masters in literature and enjoys providing writing services to her clients. Betty is an avid reader and loves learning new things. She has provided writing services to clients from all academic levels and related academic fields.

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