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Gen-Z words explained: 30 terms you need to know

(How to Understand and Communicate with the Next Generation)

Gen Z have a language all their own where they are blending creativity, humor and social influence into their vocabulary. From phrases like “slay” to acronyms like “ICYMI,” their words are everywhere across texts, social media, and daily conversations. But what is Gen Z and what are Gen Z slangs?

If I have to put Gen Z in simple words, Gen Z is the generation where they have grown up with the connection of the Internet in their daily life. They use acronyms, different types of words that it is mostly hard for adults to understand. For instance, what is Lit, W, L, Lowkey, Highkey, YOLO, IRL, GOAT etc. Each of them has meaning among them.

Understanding these terms isn’t just about staying in the loop; it’s about building better connections. If you’re a parent, teacher, employer, or just curious, want to know these expressions, please continue reading because this article can create a bridge and resolve those gaps. 

Note: There are countless Gen Z slang terms, but I’ve compiled a list of 30 words with examples for better understanding.

Gen-Z Slang explained: 30 terms you need to know

WordMeaningExample
SlayTo do something amazingly well.She absolutely slayed that presentation!
LitSomething exciting or excellent.The concert was lit!
FamShort for “family,” used to refer to close friends.Let’s go out, fam!
LowkeySomething you want to subtly express.I lowkey like that song.
HighkeySomething you want to loudly express.I highkey love this food!
GucciEverything is good or cool.Everything is Gucci.
ShookBeing shocked or surprised.I was shook by the news.
YeetingTo throw something with force.He yeeted the ball across the field.
SusSuspicious or questionable.That guy seems a bit sus.
DripStylish or fashionable clothing/accessories.He’s got a serious drip.
BopA good song or music track.This song is a total bop!
StanA dedicated fan of someone or something.I’m a huge Taylor Swift stan.
WWin or success.We got the W!
LLoss or failure.That was an L for sure.
SimpSomeone who does too much for someone they like.He’s such a simp for her.
CapA lie or something that’s not true.Don’t cap, tell me the truth.
No CapThe truth, no lies.No cap, it was the best concert ever.
VibeThe overall mood or atmosphere.I love the vibe of this coffee shop.
GhostTo suddenly stop communicating with someone.She ghosted me after our first date.
FlexTo show off.He’s always flexing on social media.
SavageWitty and sarcastic, often in a funny way.Her comeback was so savage.
Spill the teaTo share gossip or juicy information.Spill the tea on what happened at the party.
ThirstyDesperate for attention or validation.She’s so thirsty for likes on social media.
IRLIn Real LifeLet’s meet up IRL sometime.
TBHTo Be HonestTBH, I don’t really like that movie.
IJKI’m Just KiddingIJK, let’s do it.
ICYMIIn Case You Missed ItICYMI, the concert was amazing.
GOATGreatest Of All TimeMichael Jordan is the GOAT of basketball.
FOMOFear Of Missing OutI’m getting FOMO from everyone’s vacation photos.
YOLOYou Only Live OnceYOLO, let’s go bungee jumping!

Origin of these Gen Z Words

Slay

The word slay has roots in African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and LGBTQ+ communities, particularly ball culture. As the meaning goes slay means to express admiration or excitement. In terms of usage Gen Z are using this word in reference to fashion, performance, or self-confidence. You can see examples of this word across social media and Pop culture.

Lit

When you check in dictionaries like Oxford or Cambridge, Lit has many meanings but one of the meanings is intoxicated. Being “lit up” or “aglow” after a few drinks. This initial definition laid the groundwork for the word’s evolution.

But somewhere along the line, lit started to transcend its literal meaning. People began using it to describe anything that was incredibly awesome, a mind-blowing concert, a ridiculously delicious meal, even just a day that felt absolutely perfect.

Fam

Fam is another word that’s become common in our everyday conversations, but what does it really mean?

Well, Fam is a short form of family, but it’s so much more than just a shortened word. Fam is a term that can be used or it is reserved for those closest to us, your confidantes, the people who know us better than we know ourselves.

Lowkey

Think of lowkey as the art of keeping things chill. It’s about subtlety, about expressing yourself without making a big deal out of it. It is hard to imagine the exact root but I think lowkey has its roots in music. In music, low-key can refer to a lower pitch or a more subdued tone. This sense of subtlety likely carried over into its current slang usage specially among Gen Z.

Highkey

Think of the highkey as the moments when you want to shout your lungs out in the moment of happiness, that feeling is called high key. It is the opposite of lowkey. Unlike lowkey, highkey has roots in photography and filmmaking. High-key lighting in these domains creates images with bright, consistent tones and minimal contrast between areas of light and dark. 

Gucci

Gucci used to just mean luxury. Sleek clothes, designer bags, you get the picture. But now? It’s slang for good or awesome. Younger folks say things like “That movie was Gucci!” It’s a cool way to express approval, often with a touch of irony.

Shook

This is the sensation of getting totally caught off guard, whether it’s from fear, exhilaration, or surprise. Hip-hop, which describes the sensation of being terrified or overpowered, is linked to shook’s origin. You know, that moment when you come upon something genuinely surprising and it shakes you up a little.

But today, shook has evolved far beyond its initial meaning. It’s become a versatile slang term that can express a whole spectrum of emotions.

Gen Z across the internet is using the word shook in memes and social media posts. It is used to express everything from disbelief to pure astonishment. It’s a testament to the power of slang to capture nuanced emotions in a way that resonates with people across generations.

Yeet

Yeet is more than simply a word; it’s a tiny burst of energy that has been condensed into sound. You know that feeling when you simply go right in, maybe because you’re feeling really excited or because you’re throwing something with more force? Yeet in a nutshell is that. This slang term, which originated from a viral video, has evolved into a means of expressing that unexpected burst of energy and enthusiasm.

Sus

Are you familiar with the difficult moments of trying to identify the imposter in the game Among Us? It’s where sus actually was popular. Sus, short for suspicious, became the standard term anytime someone’s explanation didn’t line up or they seemed a bit too shady. Sus has now become very popular outside of the game. At school, among friends, and even online, you hear it all the time. It has evolved into the ideal term to describe the sensation that something is a little strange, fishy, or just plain.

Drip

Drip isn’t just about wearing nice clothes; it’s about confidence and style that oozes. It’s that effortless vibe that sets you apart from the rest and making a bold statement.

But where did this stylish term come from? 

Drip’s origin can be traced to Hip-hop culture where it was referred to as flashy jewelry worn by rappers. With time the meaning of drip has also evolved and today drip signifies a unique and impressive personal style, a certain swagger that makes you turn heads.

Bop

The feeling you experience when a song takes over is called bop. You’ve heard it before; it’s cheerful, catchy, and instantly lifts your spirits. It’s the type of tune that makes you want to dance around your room and gets stuck in your mind all day.

Think of it as the ultimate compliment for a track. It’s not just good, it’s a bop. It’s the song you share with your friends, the one that instantly elevates any situation.

Stan

Do you recall the Eminem song Stan? You know, the one about the obsessed fan? Well, guess what? The term has returned with a completely different meaning. Nowadays, stanning someone indicates that you are a huge fan. Kind of all-in, die-hard support.

W

W is essentially Gen Z’s abbreviation for win. It’s comparable to their success code. It will appear everywhere, whether it’s following a successful gaming session, an exceptional exam performance, or simply a great day. It’s a really informal method to commemorate any victory, no matter how big or small. You know, it’s all about the sense of achievement. That sense of accomplishment. At times, a single W suffices to convey that emotion effectively, let’s face it.

L

W stands for win in Gen Z slang, which is a method to celebrate success both. However, what about L? L is the opposite of W for Gen Z. It simply translates to loss. It’s a straightforward and informal way of saying that things didn’t work out as planned. It conveys the message, regardless of whether you had a rough day, lost an online match, or had a prank go awry with friends. An L sums it all up perfectly.

Simp

The term simp is probably familiar to you from the internet. In essence, it characterizes someone who overdoes their attempts to win someone over, frequently anticipating something in return. Consider praising them frequently and giving them presents. While being kind is great, simp typically has a negative meaning, implying submissiveness and unthinking devotion. It’s comparable to the nice guy cliche in modern times, where someone wants something in exchange for their consistent deeds of generosity.

Cap/No Cap

There are two terms in the Gen Z slang cap and no cap, which have opposite meanings. In simple terms cap means lie, you can assume it’s a quick and playful way to call someone out for fibbing, while on the other hand no cap means no lie. It means signaling that someone is 100 percent legit. These terms have their roots in street slang and as Gen Z goes, they have started using it in online chats and everyday conversations.

Vibe

Among many Gen Z words, vibe is a word that does not need a detailed explanation, you can just feel it’s meaning on the spot. Vibe is related to the mood of the person, place, energy or even the moment that you are. For instance, when you are in a stadium watching the football match, you can feel the vibe of winning or losing among the fans. Every person has a vibe of his own, for instance he is friendly, warm, or maybe he is a little bit shy.

Ghost

Ghost is another term that is really popular among the Generation Z. However, if you take a look in the dictionary, ghost means soul or spirit of a deceased person or an animal that appears into the body of a living person or another being. In the Gen Z slang, ghost is mostly used in relationships. For example, if you have been on a dating app, found someone, set the date but after the date, the other person is not answering. This is the condition where ghosted can be used, for example, she ghosted after our 1st date.

Flex

Flexing means showing off. It’s when someone wants to brag about something cool that they have. Maybe your friend has bought a new iPhone or he has bought a new car or you know a new dance move to show. The term flexing originated from Hip-hop culture, where showing off your wealth or skills was a big deal. Now the flex is being on a daily basis present across social media, chats and conversations.

Savage

Throughout history savage has meant someone who is very uncivilized, but today it means fierce or intense, like a killer workout in a gym. Other times, it describes a super witty comeback or a really impressive skill. You might even call a skilled gamer or athlete savage. It’s important to remember the word’s history; if you use it thoughtlessly, you may offend someone.

Spill the tea

Spill the tea has originated from the drag queen community, where in the tea metaphor means gossip and juicy information. Instead of asking what happened between them and their ex, you can simply say, “Spill the tea, girl!”

Thirsty

Thirsty is a term used to describe someone who craves attention to an extreme degree. Picture a person so thirsty they could drink the entire sea! They might constantly seek the spotlight, post an endless stream of selfies on social media, or go to great lengths to win others over. Although use thirsty with caution, because sometimes it can come across as a bit mean, and you may hurt that person.

IRL

IRL means “in real life.” It’s a straightforward, but incredibly helpful acronym. IRL is frequently used online about things happening beyond the digital world. For example, if you come across a great looking pizza on your Instagram feed, you can comment “I’d love to try that IRL”. 

TBH

TBH is like a little shortcut we use online to say “To Be Honest.” As a matter of fact, TBH can be used at times to let someone know your honest opinion. For example, if you’re chatting with a friend about a movie and you didn’t really like it, you might say, “TBH, I’m not a huge fan because of the illogical plot.”

IJK 

I’m just kidding, is the form of IJK that Gen Z has been using for texting across social media. It is a casual way that the previous sentence was just a joke, don’t take it seriously. For instance, you live in India and your friend lives in the USA.

Raj: Yo Hassan, guess what? I just booked a flight to New York. Be ready to pick me up tomorrow morning!”
Kamal: Wait, what?! Are you serious? Why didn’t you tell me earlier? 
Raj: IJK, bro! You think I can afford a flight to the US right now? 
Kamal: You almost gave me a heart attack! Don’t mess with me like that.

ICYMI

ICYMI means “in case you missed it” and it is used at times when you are not present. When another person is presenting, he can use ICYMI. Have a look at this example.

Raj has taken time off from school because he is sick. When Kamal arrives, he asks about Raj from Deepak.
Kamal: Hey, have you heard anything about Raj? He hasn’t been in school.
Deepak: ICYMI, Raj has been sick with the flu, so he should be resting at home.
Kamal: Oh, I hope he feels better soon. Thanks for letting me know!

Gen Z are using it constantly across social media or texting across chats, email etc. 

GOAT

GOAT is used to describe someone who dominates their field for example Michael Jackson was the GOAT in dancing. So, the next time you hear goat, it doesn’t mean an animal.

FOMO

Black Friday is one of those days I think where you are going to get most of the FOMO, why? Because you will miss out on the discounts. Let me explain, FOMO stands for “Fear of Missing Out”, if you miss the discounts, you have to pay in full.

FOMO can be used in other cases too, such as you are scrolling across Instagram and you notice all your friends are having the time of their lives. Maybe they are on a convert, a party or a vacation while you are stuck at home.

YOLO

Life is a daily struggle, but sometimes friends remind us: We only live once, let’s just go to that restaurant and enjoy today. YOLO can be used to justify doing something a little crazy: if your economic condition is not very good and you can barely last till the end of the month, your friend might say “YOLO, let’s go eat at the restaurant.” Bear in mind that, YOLO doesn’t mean to be reckless but it’s a good nudge to step outside of your comfort zone.   

Conclusion:

The 30 terms in this post are just the tip of the iceberg, but they are a good foundation to communicate more effectively. The next time you’re scrolling through social media or chatting with your grandchildren and come across unfamiliar words, just look them up here. 

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