Navigating Gen Z Slang: 50 Terms You Need to Know

Introduction

Gen Z, the generation born between 1997 and 2012, has a distinctive way of communicating that reflects their digital nativity, social awareness, and creative expression.

Gen Z slang is a rich and dynamic lexicon that often baffles older generations.

This guide lists 50 essential Gen Z slang terms, offering a glimpse into the minds and culture of the youngest generation.

50 Gen Z Slang Terms Explained

Slay: To excel or impress, especially in fashion or performance. Derived from drag culture, where slaying means to dominate the stage or runway.

Sus: Short for suspicious or suspect, indicating doubt or mistrust. Popularised by the online game Among Us, where players have to identify the impostor among them.

Yeet: An exclamation used when throwing something or expressing excitement. It originated as a dance move and viral Vine video in 2014.

No Cap: No lie, or honestly speaking. Derived from the hip-hop slang “capping,” which means to brag or exaggerate.

Bussin’: Something that is exceptionally good or delicious. Possibly influenced by the word “busting” or the phrase “busting out the seams.”

Simp: Someone who is overly attentive or submissive to someone they like, often at the expense of their own dignity or interests. A blend of “sissy” and “pimp.”

Ghosting: Suddenly cutting off all communication with someone, usually in a romantic context. The term dates back to at least 2006 but became more widespread in the 2010s with the rise of online dating and texting.

Lit: Describing something that is exciting, excellent, or high-energy. Originally a slang term for being intoxicated, it later expanded to mean anything that is awesome or hype.

Salty: Being upset, bitter, or angry over something minor or trivial. The term comes from the idea of having a salty taste in one’s mouth after crying or being insulted.

Extra: Overly dramatic, excessive, or unnecessary. The term implies that someone is doing too much or trying too hard to get attention or make a point.

Lowkey: Understated, moderate, or discreet. The term is often used to express a mild or subtle opinion or emotion, or to downplay something that is actually important or significant.

Highkey: The opposite of lowkey; very obvious, intense, or blatant. The term is often used to emphasise or amplify a strong or urgent opinion or emotion, or to draw attention to something that is remarkable or noteworthy.

Flex: To show off, boast, or flaunt. The term comes from the idea of flexing one’s muscles to display strength or power.

Gucci: Good, cool, or stylish. The term is derived from the name of the Italian luxury fashion brand, which is known for its high-end and trendy products.

Finsta: A secondary, more private Instagram account where one can post more personal, candid, or controversial content. The term is a blend of “fake” and “Instagram.”

Tea: Gossip, drama, or juicy information, usually about someone else’s personal life. The term comes from the idea of spilling the tea, which means to reveal a secret or tell the truth.

Savage: Fierce, ruthless, or unapologetic, especially in response to a challenge or insult. The term is often used as a compliment or a sign of respect for someone who does not care about the consequences of their actions or words.

Woke: Being aware of social injustices, especially those related to racism, sexism, or other forms of oppression. The term comes from the idea of waking up to the reality of systemic discrimination and inequality.

Stan: An obsessive or devoted fan of a celebrity, artist, or subculture. The term is derived from the name of the protagonist in Eminem’s song Stan, which tells the story of a fan who becomes increasingly obsessed and violent towards his idol.

Receipts: Proof or evidence, usually in the form of screenshots, messages, or videos, that support or expose a claim or accusation. The term comes from the idea of having a receipt as a record of a transaction or exchange.

GOAT: Greatest Of All Time, an acronym used to praise or honour someone who is considered the best in their field or domain. The term is often used in sports, music, or entertainment contexts.

Vibe Check: Assessing the general mood or atmosphere of a person, place, or situation, or testing someone’s compatibility or alignment with oneself or a group. The term can also be used as a pretext for violence or aggression, as in “You failed the vibe check.”

Cancel: To reject, boycott, or ostracise someone, usually a public figure, company, or organisation, for doing or saying something offensive, problematic, or controversial. The term is often used in the context of “cancel culture,” which is a form of online activism or shaming that aims to hold people accountable for their actions or opinions.

Cheugy: It means something or someone that is outdated, uncool, or trying too hard to be trendy. The term was coined by a Gen Z student in 2013, but became viral on TikTok in 2021. It is often used to describe things that were popular among Millennials, such as live-laugh-love signs, skinny jeans, or Ugg boots.

Snack: Someone who is very attractive or appealing, usually in a physical or sexual way. The term implies that someone is so desirable that one wants to eat them up.

Clout: Influence, fame, or popularity, especially on social media or the internet. The term is often used to describe someone who is seeking or gaining attention or recognition for their online presence or activities.

Mood: Relating to or expressing a specific feeling or situation, usually in a humorous or exaggerated way. The term is often used as a caption or a comment for a meme, image, or video that resonates with one’s current state of mind or emotion.

Shook: Shocked, surprised, or scared, usually by something unexpected or disturbing. The term comes from the idea of being shaken or rattled by something.

Thirsty: Desperately seeking attention, validation, or affection, usually in a sexual or romantic way. The term comes from the idea of being parched or dehydrated for love or intimacy.

FOMO: Fear Of Missing Out, an acronym used to describe the anxiety or regret of not being part of something exciting, fun, or beneficial, such as an event, a trend, or an opportunity. The term is often used in relation to social media, where one can see what others are doing or experiencing.

CEO: Being the best, most skilled, or most qualified at something, usually in a sarcastic or humorous way. The term is derived from the title of Chief Executive Officer, which is the highest-ranking position in a company or organisation.

Hits Different: Having a unique, special, or unexpected impact or effect, usually in a positive or satisfying way. The term is often used to describe something that evokes a strong or nostalgic emotion or sensation, such as a song, a food, or a memory.

Cap: To lie, exaggerate, or deceive, usually in order to impress or manipulate others. The term comes from the idea of putting on a cap or hat to cover or hide one’s true identity or intentions.

Bet: An expression of agreement, confirmation, or acceptance, usually in response to a proposal, request, or challenge. The term comes from the idea of placing a bet or a wager on something, indicating confidence or certainty.

Drip: Impressive style, swagger, or charisma, usually in relation to one’s fashion, appearance, or attitude. The term comes from the idea of dripping or oozing with confidence or attractiveness.

Fire: Something that is very cool, trendy, or amazing, usually in relation to music, art, or entertainment. The term comes from the idea of being hot or burning with passion or talent.

Skrrt: A sound mimicking a car, used to express excitement, enthusiasm, or approval, or to change topics or avoid a situation. The term is often associated with hip-hop music and culture, where it is used as an ad-lib or a catchphrase.

IYKYK: If You Know, You Know, an acronym used to imply that something is exclusive, secretive, or understandable only to a select group of people who share a common experience, interest, or knowledge. The term is often used to create a sense of mystery, intrigue, or superiority.

Bruh: A casual term for a person, similar to “dude” or “bro.” The term can be used to express surprise, annoyance, frustration, or disbelief, or to address someone in a friendly or informal way.

Glow Up: A transformation or improvement for the better, usually in relation to one’s appearance, confidence, or success. The term comes from the idea of glowing or shining with beauty or happiness.

Hypebeast: Someone who follows trends in fashion, music, or culture obsessively, usually in order to impress others or fit in. The term is often used to describe someone who is superficial, materialistic, or pretentious.

Dead: Used to indicate that something is extremely funny, hilarious, or amusing, usually to the point of losing one’s composure or breath. The term comes from the idea of dying or killing from laughter.

Spill the Tea: To share the gossip, drama, or juicy information, usually about someone else’s personal life. The term is similar to “tea” but implies a more active or intentional act of revealing or exposing a secret or the truth.

Rn: Right Now, an acronym used to indicate the present moment, usually in relation to one’s feelings, thoughts, or actions. The term is often used to express urgency, impatience, or spontaneity.

SMH: Shaking My Head, an acronym used to express disapproval, disappointment, or disbelief, usually in response to something stupid, foolish, or ridiculous. The term comes from the gesture of the head to indicate disapproval or disbelief.

TBH: To Be Honest, an acronym used to express sincerity, candour, or confession, usually in relation to one’s feelings, thoughts, or opinions. The term is often used to soften or qualify a statement that may be controversial or critical.

IRL: In Real Life, an acronym used to distinguish reality from the virtual or online world or to refer to something that happens or exists offline. The term is often used to contrast or compare one’s online persona or behaviour with their actual or offline one.

OOMF: One Of My Followers, an acronym used to refer to someone who follows one on social media, usually in a vague or anonymous way. The term is often used to avoid naming or tagging the person directly or to express admiration or attraction for them.

AF: As F***, an acronym used for emphasis or exaggeration, usually in relation to an adjective or adverb. The term is often used to express intensity, extremity, or degree of something.

Zucc: To get banned, censored, or restricted on social media, usually for violating the terms of service or community guidelines. The term is derived from the surname of Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder and CEO of Facebook, which owns several other social media platforms.

Conclusion

Gen Z slang is a vibrant and evolving language that reflects the values, humour, and creativity of the youngest generation. Given that Gen Z is constantly creating and popularizing new words and phrases, these 50 terms only serve as a snapshot of the current linguistic landscape. As language continues to change, so will the expressions and idioms of Gen Z, mirroring the ever-changing world they are growing up in.

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