What are the top 10 Gen Z slang words?

Here are some of the best and most popular Gen Z words: Savage, Noob, FOMO, GOAT, Lit, Bruh, Swag, Lowkey, Thirsty trap, Yas, No cap, Flexin' , etc.

What is a boomer in Gen Z slang?

A word used as a substitute to “Daaaamn!” A slang term used as a response to someone from the Baby Boomer generation . Example: Boomer: “When I was your age I already owned a home.” Gen Z: “o*k Boomer.

What is Gen Z in slang?

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. Ease of communication with the internet facilitated the rapid proliferation of Gen Z slang.

What are 5 slang words?

American Slang ASAP - "As Soon As Possible." A task you should complete immediately. At One's Fingertips - Easily recalled or available. Bar - A place where alcoholic beverages are served. Big Deal - Anything important or exciting. Blown Away - To be really surprised or shocked about something. More items...

What is a rizz in Gen Z slang?

Rizz, for instance, is Gen Z slang for a quality several previous generations have staked their own claim on: Swag being its immediate predecessor, and mojo sliding in much earlier. Sexual charisma is just something humans never stop thinking about and reacting to, so new words keep bubbling up to describe it.

What does yeet mean in Gen Z slang?

How to speak Gen Z: Slang words explained Slang Urban Dictionary Meaning Search Volume Yeet To violently throw an object that you deem to be worthless, inferior or just plain garbage 95,890 23 more rows Feb 23, 2024

What do Gen Z call their boyfriends?

Bae – Boyfriend or girlfriend. Wait, bae is calling me.

What is the goat in Gen Z slang?

Acronyms: Similar to initialisms, but these are pronounced as words, like GOAT ( greatest of all time ) or FOMO (fear of missing out).

What is mid Gen Z slang?

Gen Z Slang part 3 do you know what the word mid means? This means something that's mediocre . or just in the middle.

How does Gen Z say "drunk"?

Lit . Something lit is exciting, fun, cool. Often used to describe an experience. It can also be used to describe someone as being drunk.

What is the most popular Gen Z slang in 2024?

Top 60+ GenZ Phrases & Acronyms You Should Know In 2024 TBF. TFW. Touch Grass. Unserious. Vanish Mode. Vibe Check. Yikes. Yeet. More items... Jul 25, 2024

What's a Gen Z word for cool?

Drip means cool, often used in the context of someone having on trend or fashionable style.

9 slang words teens and Gen Zers are using in 2020 — and their boomer equivalents (2024)

Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Homepage

Newsletters

Lifestyle

Dominic-Madori Davis

2020-03-23T21:55:00Z

9 slang words teens and Gen Zers are using in 2020 — and their boomer equivalents (1)

Teens and members of Gen Z are using a slew of new slang terms, and many of those words are confusing to older generations.
But the slang words Gen Zers use are not new in their meanings. Most new phrases can be "translated" pretty easily to a boomer equivalent.
Here's a list of 9 popular Gen Z terms and their baby boomer generation equivalents.
Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read preview

Thanks for signing up! Go to newsletter preferences

Thanks for signing up!

Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go.

Advertisem*nt

In a world dominated by meme culture, ever-changing social media platforms, and the ability to cram your thoughts into a 280-character tweet, your grasp of basic slang can make or break your credibility as a functional and supposedly coolhuman.

Though many of these terms have been around for decades, oftentimes derived from the language of black and queer communities, online spaces have made the spread, appropriation, and evolution of language more rapid than ever before.

But even though the particular lingo Gen Zers love is pretty different, the meanings behind the slang terms aren't new at all. Most of them are similar to definitions of words commonly used by earlier generations — and while these baby boomer slang terms aren't exact synonyms in every case, they're the closest we could find in meaning.

Here are 9 Gen Z slang words and their boomer equivalents.

Advertisem*nt

Fit: Unlike the British version of the term "fit," which means attractive, in the United States, "fit" is just the shortened version of outfit.

9 slang words teens and Gen Zers are using in 2020 — and their boomer equivalents (5)

"She had on a fire fit at the party."

"Their fit was bold."

The boomer slang equivalent of "fit" is "threads."

9 slang words teens and Gen Zers are using in 2020 — and their boomer equivalents (6)

"Her threads at the party were groovy."

Source: Your Dictionary

Advertisem*nt

Fire: "Fire" is used to refer to something that is really cool and amazing.

9 slang words teens and Gen Zers are using in 2020 — and their boomer equivalents (7)

"That outfit is fire."

"The movie was fire, you have to check it out."

Source: Urban Dictionary

Advertisem*nt

The boomer slang equivalent of "fire" is "groovy."

9 slang words teens and Gen Zers are using in 2020 — and their boomer equivalents (8)

"That album was super groovy."

"Yeah, I liked it. It was pretty groovy."

Source:Dictionary

Advertisem*nt

Tea: "Tea" is gossip, and "spilling the tea" is the act of gossiping. We can also thank black drag culture for this iconic phrase. "Tea" is also used when one is agreeing with a point someone has just said.

9 slang words teens and Gen Zers are using in 2020 — and their boomer equivalents (9)

Situation One: "Spill the tea, what did he say?"

Situation Two: "Last night was a mess. Here's the tea."

Situation Three:"And then I said, I can't support or be with someone who doesn't love and support me." "Tea."

Source: Merriam-Webster, Urban Dictionary

Advertisem*nt

The boomer slang equivalent of "tea" is "the skinny."

9 slang words teens and Gen Zers are using in 2020 — and their boomer equivalents (10)

"Alright, so here's the skinny on what's going on with Ken and Michelle."

"Did you get the skinny from Paul? What's going on with him and Lola?"

Source:Dictionary

Advertisem*nt

Lit: "Lit" is an adjective to describe when something's amazing, exciting, high-energy, or otherwise great. It can alternatively mean intoxicated or drunk.

9 slang words teens and Gen Zers are using in 2020 — and their boomer equivalents (11)

Situation One:"That party was lit."

The boomer slang equivalent of "lit" is "loaded."

9 slang words teens and Gen Zers are using in 2020 — and their boomer equivalents (12)

The slang version of "loaded" can mean to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, similar to the way someone would be described as "lit" today.

"I went to that party yesterday and saw Phil get loaded."

"Bob was loaded last night at that party, dude."

Source:Dictionary

Advertisem*nt

Wig: "Wig" is a phrase used to refer to something that is amazing. It refers to the idea that what you saw was so amazing, and incited so much shock in you, that your wig flew off.

9 slang words teens and Gen Zers are using in 2020 — and their boomer equivalents (13)

*Beyonce posts a photo*

Comments:"Wig!"

Source:Urban Dictionary

Advertisem*nt

The boomer slang equivalent of "wig" is "fab."

9 slang words teens and Gen Zers are using in 2020 — and their boomer equivalents (14)

Fab is just short for fabulous.

"That outfit you wore yesterday looked fab, darling."

"I love that hairstyle, it looks fab."

Source:Merriam-Webster

Advertisem*nt

Big Yikes: "Big Yikes" is a more intense version of the word "yikes." It refers to something that is so very embarrassing that another, much larger "yikes" is needed.

9 slang words teens and Gen Zers are using in 2020 — and their boomer equivalents (15)

"I thought I was posting it to my finsta but it went to my actual account."

"YIKES."

"Even worse: Now she knows I was with her boyfriend last night."

"BIG YIKES."

Source: Urban Dictionary

Advertisem*nt

The boomer slang equivalent of "big yikes" is "bummer."

9 slang words teens and Gen Zers are using in 2020 — and their boomer equivalents (16)

"So you can't come? That's a bummer, man."

"Wow, total bummer. Why would he say that?"

Source: Merriam-Webster

Advertisem*nt

Salty: To be "salty" is to be annoyed, upset, or bitter, usually about something minor.

9 slang words teens and Gen Zers are using in 2020 — and their boomer equivalents (17)

"You look really salty right now. What happened?"

"I'm mad salty right now though, lowkey."

Source: Urban Dictionary

Advertisem*nt

The boomer slang equivalent of "salty" is "ticked off."

9 slang words teens and Gen Zers are using in 2020 — and their boomer equivalents (18)

"Why are you so ticked off today?"

"If I'm acting a bit ticked off today, it's because I am."

"You are ticking me off."

Source: Merriam-Webster

Advertisem*nt

Lewk: "Lewk" is a variation of "look," a signature physical trait, or a specially and carefully constructed outfit or appearance.

9 slang words teens and Gen Zers are using in 2020 — and their boomer equivalents (19)

"Their dress at prom was a lewk."

"Did you see Megan Thee Stallion's lewk in her newest video?"

Source: The Cut

Advertisem*nt

The boomer slang equivalent of "lewk" is "decked out."

9 slang words teens and Gen Zers are using in 2020 — and their boomer equivalents (20)

"Suzy was decked out at the party — did you see her?"

"You look all decked out today! What's the occasion?"

Source: Dictionary.com

Advertisem*nt

Go Off: "Go off" can be used to encourage a choice, or to support a rant or ridiculous behavior that's already occurred, usually meant humorously. Often, the phrase "I guess" follows it.

9 slang words teens and Gen Zers are using in 2020 — and their boomer equivalents (21)

"You sat there for five minutes trying to tell me how to live my life, meanwhile I have yet to see you get yours together. But go off, I guess."

Source: Urban Dictionary

Advertisem*nt

The boomer slang equivalent of "go off, I guess" is "don't flip your wig."

9 slang words teens and Gen Zers are using in 2020 — and their boomer equivalents (22)

"Geez, no need to flip your wig, Cathy."

Source:Your Dictionary

9 slang words teens and Gen Zers are using in 2020 — and their boomer equivalents (2024)

Fit: Unlike the British version of the term "fit," which means attractive, in the United States, "fit" is just the shortened version of outfit.

The boomer slang equivalent of "fit" is "threads."

Fire: "Fire" is used to refer to something that is really cool and amazing.

The boomer slang equivalent of "fire" is "groovy."

Tea: "Tea" is gossip, and "spilling the tea" is the act of gossiping. We can also thank black drag culture for this iconic phrase. "Tea" is also used when one is agreeing with a point someone has just said.

The boomer slang equivalent of "tea" is "the skinny."

Lit: "Lit" is an adjective to describe when something's amazing, exciting, high-energy, or otherwise great. It can alternatively mean intoxicated or drunk.

The boomer slang equivalent of "lit" is "loaded."

Wig: "Wig" is a phrase used to refer to something that is amazing. It refers to the idea that what you saw was so amazing, and incited so much shock in you, that your wig flew off.

The boomer slang equivalent of "wig" is "fab."

Big Yikes: "Big Yikes" is a more intense version of the word "yikes." It refers to something that is so very embarrassing that another, much larger "yikes" is needed.

The boomer slang equivalent of "big yikes" is "bummer."

Salty: To be "salty" is to be annoyed, upset, or bitter, usually about something minor.

The boomer slang equivalent of "salty" is "ticked off."

Lewk: "Lewk" is a variation of "look," a signature physical trait, or a specially and carefully constructed outfit or appearance.

The boomer slang equivalent of "lewk" is "decked out."

Go Off: "Go off" can be used to encourage a choice, or to support a rant or ridiculous behavior that's already occurred, usually meant humorously. Often, the phrase "I guess" follows it.

The boomer slang equivalent of "go off, I guess" is "don't flip your wig."

FAQs

What are the top 10 Gen Z slang words? ›

What is the most popular Gen Z slang in 2024? ›