Gen Z Terms and Definitions
Pew Research recently defined Gen Z as anyone born 1997 onwards. Gen Z grew up with technology, the internet, and social media, which sometimes causes them to be stereotyped as tech-addicted, anti-social, or “social justice warriors.”
In Gen Z slang term, “fire” means something is really amazing or cool. They also use it to express excitement or point out a new trend within their culture.
Generation Z slang differs significantly from slang terminology of prior generations in history in that Gen Z was the first generation to grow up entirely within the internet age. Due to this, much of their slang originates from online media such as social media apps like TikTok, YouTube, or Twitch.
Sheesh: Used to hype someone up when they look good or do something good, like saying damn. The person getting hyped up uses the “ice in my veins” pose made famous by basketball player D'Angelo Russell. Example: Seeing your friend walk down the aisle at their wedding. “Sheeeeeesh.”
Wall said using “slay,” which to Generation Z means “good job” or “killing it,” is one of the many examples of how she and some of her older colleagues miscommunicate. Miscommunication also happens through uses of punctuation, phrases and emoji. Cringe Quiz: Are you fluent in Gen-Z office speak?
“Yeet” is a versatile word that Gen Z's use as an exclamation, a verb, or even a noun. As an exclamation it can be used to express excitement, usually happily but also nervously. It can also be used as an exclamation of victory, or as a battle cry or focus-shout while throwing or hitting something, like "HIII-YA".
Dope - Cool or awesome. Extra - Over-the-top, extreme. Fit - Short for outfit. Fire - Hot, trendy, amazing, or on point (formerly "straight fire")
Cheugy (pronounced chew-gee, for the uninitiated) is a term coined by Gen Z and defined by Urban Dictionary as a “catch-all word” to describe anything untrendy, uncool or “basic”.
According to a 2021 Consumer Culture Report by 5WPR, Gen Z is prioritizing electronics, technology, health, and wellness.
In a Tallo survey of 2,400 Gen Z students, nearly three-quarters ranked soft skills — like critical thinking, leadership and communication — as more important for success than hard skills.
Gen Zers aren't prioritizing romantic relationships — or if they're open to one, they want it to happen organically. A majority (52%) expect to meet their significant other in person instead of via mutual acquaintances (30%) or an app (6%), according to the Goldman Sachs intern survey.
Here are some examples of common Gen Z lingo that actually come from AAVE: Bruh: A form of the word brother that originated in Black English during the late 1800s.
Boujee refers to a materialistic person. Boujee is an internet slang term that refers to people who enjoy their riches. Home. Teen Slang Meanings.
What to Know. Yeet is a slang word that functions broadly with the meaning “to throw,” but is especially used to emphasize forcefulness and a lack of concern for the thing being thrown. (You don't yeet something if you're worried that it might break.)
Research has shown that Gen Z's attitudes towards dating and sex have evolved from the generations before them; they take an especially pragmatic approach to love and sex, and subsequently aren't prioritising establishing committed romantic relationships the same way their older peers once did.
We estimate that 61.3% of the Gen Z cohort in the US uses TikTok at least once a month. Additionally, 58% of American teenagers ages 13 to 17 visit TikTok at least once a day, and 16% access TikTok “almost constantly,” according to research conducted by Pew Research Center this spring.
In fact, Snapchat is the #1 platform where Gen Z enjoys sharing purchases they love or when shopping.