50 Gen Z Slang Words You Need to Know in 2025
Speak like today's youth and close communication gaps across social spaces.
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Gen Z is rewriting the dictionary one viral TikTok, meme, and group chat at a time. From ‘glow up’ transformations to ‘rizz’ charisma, their slang is shaping not just conversation, but culture itself. Whether you’re a parent, educator, marketer, or simply want to decode the digital-first world of today’s youth, knowing these key terms will help you keep up — and maybe even impress your fam.
What Is Gen Z Slang?
Gen Z slang refers to inventive words, catchphrases, acronyms, and expressions popular among those born between roughly 1997 and 2012. This language is creative, fast-changing, and often forged online. Mastering Gen Z speak means understanding references from TikTok, Discord, and viral trends, as well as nuances from internet subcultures.
Why Does Gen Z Use So Many Slang Words?
- Identity & Community: Slang helps Gen Z signal belonging, humor, and shared meaning.
- Internet Influence: Most new words spread via social apps, memes, and comment sections.
- Creativity: Gen Z loves remixing traditional language, abbreviating, and inventing new terms.
- Speed: Online culture evolves rapidly, and so does the vocabulary.
Gen Z Slang Glossary for 2025
Here’s your curated cheat sheet of 50 influential words and phrases, rephrased for clarity, with short definitions and easy examples to help you use them like a pro.
| Slang Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Glow Up | A significant transformation, usually successful or attractive | “Chris had a total glow up over the summer.” |
| CEO | Someone mastering a skill or trait | “She’s the CEO of baking cookies.” |
| Fam | Close friends or chosen family | “You’re my fam, always.” |
| Cancel Culture | Social shaming or boycotting public figures | “Cancel culture came for that influencer after their tweet.” |
| Stan | Superfan, enthusiastic supporter (from ‘stalker’ + ‘fan’) | “We stan Taylor Swift in this house.” |
| E-boy/E-girl | Internet-first emo/goth subculture (TikTok heavy) | “He’s definitely an e-boy with those chains.” |
| W | A win or success | “That is a big W for our team!” |
| Dank | High-quality or awesome | “This meme is so dank!” |
| Flex | Showing off | “Getting that new phone is a serious flex.” |
| Bussin’ | Exceptionally good, mostly about food | “These fries are bussin’.” |
| Simp | Someone showing too much affection or attention | “Stop being such a simp!” |
| Sus | Suspicious or untrustworthy behavior | “That DM was sus.” |
| Tea | Gossip, juicy news | “Spill the tea about what happened!” |
| No Cap | For real, honestly | “This track is fire, no cap.” |
| Shook | Surprised or emotional | “I was so shook by the finale.” |
| Glow-up | Impressive transformation (used as a verb too) | “She totally glow-upped!” |
| Hits Different | Feels uniquely impactful | “This breakup just hits different.” |
| Main Character | The star; acting as if the world revolves around you | “She’s totally the main character right now.” |
| Ratio | When a reply gets more likes than the original post | “Your comment got ratioed.” |
| Mid | Average, unimpressive | “That movie was mid.” |
| Bet | Agreement or confirmation | “Party at 8? Bet.” |
| Extra | Over-the-top, dramatic | “She’s so extra about everything.” |
| GOAT | Greatest Of All Time | “LeBron is the GOAT.” |
| GRWM | Get Ready with Me (used for vlogs/videos of routines) | “Check my GRWM before prom.” |
| IYKYK | If You Know, You Know (hidden reference) | “Those fries are the GOAT. IYKYK.” |
| Slay | Excelling or looking good | “You slayed your performance.” |
| Girl Dinner | A snacky, whimsical meal comprised of random foods | “Tonight’s girl dinner is cheese and olives.” |
| Rizz | Charisma, charm | “He’s got mad rizz.” |
| Delulu | Delusional optimism | “She’s totally delulu about him calling back.” |
| Sigma | Cool, popular but introverted/lone wolf | “He’s a sigma male.” |
| Slap | Amazing, excellent | “This track slaps!” |
| Slim thick/thicc | Curvy but slim, hourglass figure | “She’s got that slim thick vibe.” |
| Skibidi | Refers to viral Skibidi Toilet meme/character | “Kids are obsessed with Skibidi.” |
| Xan | Short for Xanax (caution: can reference drug abuse) | “Who took my xan?” |
| YAAS | Very enthusiastic “yes!” | “YAAS, queen!” |
| Yeet | Throwing something with force or excitement | “Kids just yeeted their toy across the yard.” |
| Zaddy | Attractive, fashionable older man | “She married a zaddy!” |
| Vibe Check | Assessing moods/energy; verifying one fits the situation | “Let’s do a vibe check before the party.” |
| FYP | For You Page (TikTok’s main algorithmic feed) | “My dance landed on the FYP!” |
| Cap/No Cap | Cap = lying, No Cap = truthful | “Don’t cap, you’re not going out tonight!” |
| Drip | Impressive style, fashion | “Your shoes have mad drip!” |
| Receipts | Evidence, proof | “She showed the receipts when confronted.” |
| Bop | A great song | “That new single’s a bop!” |
| Snack | Someone attractive | “He is such a snack.” |
| Period/Per | Emphasizing the end of a thought; definitive | “You won’t see me again. Period.” |
| Low-key/High-key | Low-key = slightly/subtly; High-key = openly/obviously | “Low-key wanna skip class today.” |
| Mask Off | Being authentic, unfiltered | “It’s time to go mask off.” |
How Gen Z Slang Evolves
Slang travels rapidly thanks to platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Discord. Words like ‘rizz’ (for charisma), ‘girl dinner’ (quirky meals), and ‘delulu’ (optimistic delusion) grew out of viral content and now appear in everyday speech. Popularity often depends on meme cycles, influencer use, and algorithmic platforms such as the For You Page (FYP) on TikTok.
Where Is Gen Z Slang Used Most?
- Social media captions and comments
- Group chats and messages
- Memes and reaction videos
- Daily in-person banter
- Marketing campaigns targeting youth
Tips: Using Gen Z Slang (Without Feeling ‘Mid’)
- Start slow: Try one or two words in context before using whole sentences.
- Watch TikToks: Listening to youth creators is the best cheat code for context.
- Understand, don’t overuse: Use slang only where it fits.
- Stay current: Some words expire quickly—refresh your knowledge every season.
Frequently Asked Questions about Gen Z Slang
- Q: Where do Gen Z slang words come from?
A: Most slang starts on platforms like TikTok, Twitter (X), Instagram, or grows out of viral memes and niche online communities. - Q: Will slang words last?
A: Only a few words stick around, most fade out as new memes or trends replace them. Terms like ‘GOAT’ and ‘stan’ have persisted, while others like ‘lit’ became ‘mid.’ - Q: Is it OK for adults to use Gen Z slang?
A: Yes, but in moderation, and only in settings where it feels natural and respectful. Overuse may come across as trying too hard. - Q: Are these words used worldwide?
A: While the majority arise from the United States, thanks to the internet, many terms are adopted globally — often with local variations. - Q: Are any slang words risky to use?
A: A few terms reference sensitive topics (such as ‘xan’), so use discretion and avoid anything inappropriate or problematic.
Gen Z Slang Quiz: Test Yourself
Ready to check your Gen Z language skills? See if you can match these slang terms to their correct meanings — no cap!
- What does ‘rizz’ mean?
- What’s the opposite of ‘extra’?
- When do you say ‘YAAS’?
- What does ‘IYKYK’ reference?
Gen Z Slang vs. Millennial Slang Table
| Gen Z | Millennial | Similar Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Glow Up | Upgrade | Major improvement |
| Slay | Crushed it | Exceptional success |
| No Cap | TBH | Honestly |
| Bussin’ | Lit | Awesome, amazing |
| Simp | Whipped | Too much affection |
| GOAT | Legend | Best of all time |
Final Thoughts: Why It Matters
Learning Gen Z slang isn’t just about being trendy; it’s a window into evolving culture and communication. Whether connecting with younger colleagues, students, customers, or family members, language is a bridge — and staying up-to-date helps keep conversations fluent and inclusive.
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