50 TRENDY GEN Z SLANG WORDS THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

GenZ slang can sometimes be confusing, and I’m going to write about the Gen Z slang words that you need to know. Slang is constantly evolving from one generation to the next. Every generation has its own unique lingo, and these words emerge fast enough that some people can’t keep up with them.

Gen Z is known as the woke or outspoken generation. They play a vital role in shaping society by adding opinions on political matters, economic reviews, security, and so on.

Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram have made it easier for people to catch up with trends, content, and slang. Every day, new slang is created, and it might not be possible to follow up on new words unless you are addicted to social media.

Generation Z slang is popular because of the increase in social media users; you can find almost all the generations using it. Both old and young are consumers of these platforms.

Most people use some of the terms to communicate or comment on issues. Some people might find it strange or confusing if they hardly follow up on social media trends or have a Gen Z friend or family member.

If you are not quick to catch up on the latest slang, you might find yourself with FOMO (fear of missing out). Don’t worry, I will explain more about this term.

GENERATION TIMELINE

Before Generation Z, there were other generations, and they were:

The Greatest Generation

Born between 1901 and 1927, these folks are between the ages of 98 and 121.

The Silent Generation

Born between 1928 and 1945, these groups are between 77 and 97 years old.

The Baby Boomer Generation

Born between 1946 and 1964, boomers are currently between the ages of 58 and 76.

The Generation X

Born between 1965 and 1980, Gen X is currently between the ages of 43 and 57.

Millennials or Generation Y

Born between 1981 and 1996, GenY is between the ages of 28 and 42.

Generation Z

Born between 1997 and 2012 Gen Z is between the ages of 10 and 27.

Generation Alpha

These youngest people in the generation timeline were born between 2013 and the present day.

Back to the GenZ slang, some of this slang originated from previous generations, mainstream media, social media trends, black communities, LGBTQ+ groups, or pop culture. With the help of social media, these terms are widely spread across the world and used.

Some of these terms might be new to you, while others you might have heard of but couldn’t decode what they were saying.

Here is some slang, its origin, and its meanings to keep you from scratching your head every time you come across it.

1: FOMO

This slang, FOMO, stands for fear of missing out. It was not made up by Gen Z, but the word was invented by Patrick J. McGinnis in a 2004 op-ed in The Harbus, the magazine of Harvard Business School.

Due to the increase in social media, FOMO is a popularized slang that describes how friends can feel left out when they are not out with their clique.

FOMO is often experienced as a sense of pressure not to miss out on the latest social media trends, updates on news, and lifestyle. The urge to keep up with the latest trends on TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram can make a person constantly check their social media apps to know what’s trending and not feel out.

I remember being offline for a few hours when I came across a word, and I had to spend several minutes looking for how the word came about and who invented it. At that point, I felt FOMO until someone in the comment section broke it down and I finally understood the meaning.

Do you ever feel FOMO when you are not online and you see a word, music, or dance step trending?

2: FAM

The full meaning of FAM is family, but why is this world common to Gen Z?

Millennials use bro not only for their brother(s) but can call their friends and even strangers bro.

The same is true for Gen Z: FAM is not only used to describe your family members, but it can also refer to a close friend. The idea behind FAM is to appreciate supportive friends, just like friends turned family.

For example, What’s Up, Fam, is a way of saying What’s Up, Friend, or How Are You Doing, Fam, which means How Are You Doing, My Friend?

3: GHOSTING

Ghosting means disappearing, not showing up, or ignoring a person or group of people. This is the act of suddenly cutting off communication with someone without explaining why. It is common in friendships and relationships.

Sometimes being ghosted by someone you interact with every day on social media can be confusing because sometimes they don’t leave a warning; they just suddenly go off the radar and stop responding to your calls and texts.

“She ghosted us after we made plans to go out.” What this means is that she didn’t show up even after they made arrangements to go out.

Some people might just do this out of feeling pressured because they can’t meet certain goals, while others do it out of anxiety and depression.

Have you ever been ghosted, or have you ghosted someone before?

If you feel your friend ghosted you, I think it’s time to investigate and know why the person stopped communicating with you.

4: BOUJEE

Boujee can also be spelled Bougie; this slang originated in the African-American community and comes from the French word Bourgeoisie.

In Gen Z slang, boujee means something or someone that looks fabulous, fancy, or has an expensive taste for fashion and lifestyle. It does not necessarily mean the person is wealthy, but it’s just a way to appreciate what the person looks like. This slang is a compliment and a subtle way to hype the person.

For example, “you’re looking Boujee today” means you look fabulous or beautiful.

5: WOKE

Gen Z is known as the Woke generation because they are socially, economically, and politically aware of what’s happening in society.

They fight for the equality of the masses and fight against corruption in the justice system. Woke is the act of standing up for what’s right and speaking about situations and how solutions can be brought about.

6: DRIP

Drip or Dripping is another way of saying Swag, Swag originated in the early 1990s, and it was often used by rappers to describe how they look. Swag means stylish and can also describe someone who has high charisma and confidence.

During previous generations, Drip meant uncool, boring, not stylish, and unattractive. The origin of Drip dates back to the early 2000s, when rappers would talk about the term.

Drip is used to describe how fashionable a person is by wearing trendy or captivating outfits. Drip goes beyond a person’s fashion taste but can describe a person’s character, like how cool and confident the person is.

If someone tells you they like your drip or they love the way you are dripping, now you know you can take it as a compliment.

7: LIVING-RENT-FREE

Living-Rent-Free originated from memes, and it means being in someone’s mind and they can’t stop thinking about you. If someone or something is living in your head, that means the person is always on your mind and taking up some mental and emotional space.

It’s often used in a sarcastic way to laugh at someone, mostly when they claim they don’t care about the person or the issue.

Have you ever come across a comment where someone typed, “I know I’m living in your head, free?” This means that the person is always there.

Do you feel you are living in someone’s head rent-free?or is someone or something living in your head rent-free?

8: CATCH THESE HANDS

Catching these hands means starting a fight, and the opponent should be ready to be beaten.

It is often used aggressively or playfully when talking to friends.

Warning: This phase should not be used anyhow because if you say this to a person you’re not close to, they might see it as a threat and a form of invitation to start a fight. So be careful of all you use to avoid getting into any messy situations

9: FINESSE

Finesse is a French word that means flair, cunning, or skill. In Gen Z’s terms, fineness means manipulating someone or a situation to get what you want. In another way, use what you have to get what you want.

This slang is popular and used in songs, where artists talk about their ability to finesse and get what they want.

10: BUSSIN

The term bussin’ originates in African American Vernacular English (AAVE). If something is really good, you can say it’s bussin’.

In AAVE, bussin’ typically refers to delicious food. But people argued that GenZ has changed its meaning to suit everything from fashion, lifestyle, music, etc. Bussin is not only used to appreciate how delicious a food is but also to hype how good a person looks and how interesting the song is.

This song is Bussin, which means the song is good.

11: CLAPBACK

Clapback means a response after you have been called out by someone. Some people would say it’s not a clapback if your response is not good enough.

Clapback is a way of shutting down criticism and responding to disrespectful comments or rumors. It should be clear and incisive. Clapback can be funny and contains some elements of sarcasm or bluntness.

12: SKRRT

Skrrt is an example of onomatopoeia; it imitates the sound of a screeching tire. Skrrt originated in hip-hop culture.

It’s not only used by rappers, but Skrrt can also be used to write a caption on their social media page.

For example, if someone is talking about a very interesting topic and their friend(s) respond with a skrrt, it means they should hold and repeat that part because that part sounds so surprising or exciting.

13: UNDERSTOOD THE ASSIGNMENT

I’m not talking about when your tutor asked if you understood the homework, but this term means when someone fits perfectly in a role. This phase is not only used for actors but also when a person follows the fashion theme.

Have you ever come across a tweet or comment saying, “This actor or actress understood the assignment?” That means they executed their role perfectly.

It is not only restricted to celebrities, but when a person is well dressed for an event, you can say he or she understood the assignment; it’s a form of compliment.

14: SLAPS

This term SLAPS; no, I’m not promoting violence. Slaps are used to describe when something is interesting and impressive.

By the early 2000s, slaps were being used to appreciate everything from great music to captivating fashion to delicious food. The phase is often credited to hip-hop slang. A track that slaps can be called a banger.

15: IYKYK

The full meaning of IYKYK is If You Know, You Know. It is used for an inside joke or a topic that only a specific set of people can decode and understand.

When someone types IYKYK, this means that only those who understand the information or gist can decode what the sender is trying to convey or talk about.

16: CANCEL CULTURE

Cancel culture is common among stans. This is a way of boycotting an organization or a public figure.

Cancel culture is not only an online movement but can also be done offline. The reason for this is to create awareness and hold individuals accountable for their actions if they’re seen as unacceptable.

Cancel culture became popular in the late 2010s, when people made complaints about how they felt cheated by a company or how a prominent figure bullied them.

The result of canceling culture or boycotting individuals and organizations can lead to a decline in sales and a loss of endorsement deals, and the person can be charged in court.

17: SALTY

Salty means when a person is jealous, resentful, angry, or irritated; it’s used to describe someone’s mood. When a person is showing signs of a negative attitude, you can say he or she is salty

18: FINNA

FINNA comes from African-American Vernacular English (AAVE) It is a shortened term for saying “I’m going to” or “I’m planning to.”.

For example, “I’m Finna; go to the park.” This means I’m planning on going to the park. It might sound funny, but this is one of the most commonly used terms for Gen Z.

19: SIP TEA

Sip tea is the alternative word for spilling tea, which means when someone is minding their business, listening, and observing without adding a comment to the gist or conversation.  

20: LOW/HIGH KEY

A low-key means to be quiet or easygoing. In the slang term, you just observe and are not outspoken about your feelings and what makes you happy. It’s about how you express your feelings in a subtle way, such as being low-key excited about the movie coming out.

High-key is the opposite of low-key; high-key, you are more outspoken and expressive about your feelings, like high-key excited about the drama going on between two popular influencers.

21: HITS DIFFERENT

Hits different is when something is unique or better than before; it also means when something is so good that it inspires and motivates you. This word can apply to music, speech, food, and even emotions.

This new album hits differently, which means the album is good and inspiring.

22: PERIDOT

Peridot is a popular Gen Z slang widely used. It is gotten from period; it is mostly used to emphasize the point and the end of a statement to add seriousness to the point made by the speaker.

23: MAIN CHARACTER

In movies, the main character is usually liked because of the role they play and how they survive certain challenges, and sometimes the audience can relate to the character. Same thing with this Gen Z slang: if a person is the main character, that means they are well-liked and people can easily connect with them.

24: CLOCK IT

Clocking means understanding the gossip, paying attention, and understanding the story. It can be used to call out someone over an issue.

For example, “I just clocked what she has been saying all this while” means that you have finally understood the gist.

25: G.O.A.T

The full meaning of G.O.A.T. is Greatest of All Time. It describes someone as special, talented, exceptional, and incredible. This word is usually used in sports; you must have heard fans arguing about the G.O.A.T. of football. It’s not only restricted to sports fans but can also be used for entertainment.

26: SAY LESS

This term can be interpreted in many ways. Some people might find it rude because they feel you are interrupting them by shutting them off. Some people might not find it offensive, especially when they are involved in an argument and their friend tells them to say less because they understand the point and are ready to defend the person.

27: BET

Bet means yes, sure, or okay. It is used to accept or confirm something.

For example, if someone says, “Let’s see tomorrow at the cafe,” you can reply with, “Bet.”.

This slang can be compared with the Millennial term “word.”

28: GAG

A gag is used to express emotions like excitement, surprise, anticipation, or annoyance.

It can also be called gagged to describe something amazing. This new Gen Z slang is widely used by companies and celebrities to capture the attention of a younger audience.

29: STAN

Stan is not short for Stanley; instead, the Gen Z meaning of STAN is a combination of stalker and fan. Some use this term to illustrate how obsessive and protective fans can get toward their favorite celebrities to the extent that they see them as mini-gods.

30: MID

Mid is a short term for middle; it means something is not that impressive, but it is okay.

For example, if a person says the movie was “mid,” that means the movie was just there; it is not interesting, just average.

31: CAP

Cap is not a new slang, but it is popular; it means to lie. If you hear someone say “cap,” that means you know the person is lying.

For example, when a person says, “I will go to the gym tomorrow,” and someone replies with “cap,” that means that person just lied about visiting the gym the next day.

32: L and W

Another simple alphabet turned into slang: L in this context means loss or loser; it is used to describe a situation where someone experiences defeat (taking an L).

While W is the opposite of L, W means to win (taking a W)

33: BOP

Bop means a song or album that is catchy and good.

34: SENDING ME

Sending me is used to describe when something is hilarious. “This post is sending me” means the person finds it interesting, funny, or relatable.

35: SNATCHED

If someone is snatched, that means they look good or their outfit is nice. Snatched is a compliment, so if a person walks up to you and tells you. You look nice, which means the person is complimenting and admiring the way you look.

36: CHEUGY

Cheugy, pronounced as (chew-gee), is a term invented by Gen Z to describe something that is not trendy, out-of-date, old fashion, or trying too hard.

37: I’m Weak

I’m weak, similar to I’m dead, is a phrase used when you find something amusing.  

38: OK, BOOMER

Both Gen Z and Millennials use this term; it became popular in 2009, and the word is still used to this day. Ok, boomer is a sarcastic clapback to dismiss when people from the older generation post or comment on condescending posts about the younger generation.

39: BIG YIKES

Big yikes is a Gen Z word to explain when something is offensive or embarrassing. It is a way of expressing your displeasure over an issue.

40: IT’S GIVING

It was derived from Black Twitter and RuPaul’s Drag Race show. It can be used negatively or positively to compare someone or something.

“Her outfit is giving Y2K.” In this context, the person’s outfit is being compared to an outfit that might have been worn in 2000 (Y2K).

“The outfit is giving.” This is a compliment.

41: VIBING

Back in the day, people used to chill out, but now we are vibing. Vibing means relaxing and having a good time; it is used to describe a situation, but especially when someone is enjoying a song or conversation.

42: SIMP

Simp is a slang insult for men who are seen as overprotective and submissive to their crush or significant other.

43: SNACK

A snack can also be spelled Snack, and it does not mean food but is used to describe an attractive person.

44: TAKE SEVERAL SEATS

Taking several seats means stopping a person from talking because they are getting on your nerves and speaking about issues they have little or no information about.

45: SHEESH

Sheesh is an exclamation used to express excitement, disbelief, or hype. It’s a reaction to when you find someone or something astonishing.

46: DRAG

If you drag someone, that means you do not agree with their point or that you are making fun of them. This is similar to roasting someone.

47: NO CAP

This is the opposite of “cap”; it means when someone or something is authentic.

48: RATIO

When a post has more replies than likes, it is called a “ratio.”. It is not a good thing because it means that most people don’t agree with your point of view (POV), and it has a bad reaction from online users.

49: LIT

When someone or something is cool, awesome, impressive, or exciting, it’s considered “lit.”

50: DELULU

Delulu, derived from the word delusional, refers to having wide imaginations, false hope, or unrealistic expectations about a person or a thing. It can also mean staying positive even when things are not going as planned.

Always remember, “Delulu is the solulu.” Being delusional might just be the solution, and always keep your chin up even when things are not going smoothly.

CONCLUSION

These 50 slang words are just the tip of the iceberg because there are so many confusing yet funny words. New terms come up every day and if you are not the social media type, you might get lost when people start using those words but remember to be open to learning and understanding them

Gen Z slang can be funny, confusing, or off-putting for those not familiar with the terms and their meaning. Language is constantly evolving, and you have to embrace some of these new words and phrases because it’s a great way to stay engaged and informed.