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Slang used or popularized in the 2020s, usually byGeneration Z (Gen Z), generally defined as people born between 1997 at the earliest and 2012 at the latest in theWestern world,[note 1] or byGeneration Alpha (those born between 2010 at the earliest and 2024 at the latest[7]), differs from that of earliergenerations.[8][9] Ease of communication viasocial media and other internet outlets has facilitated its rapid proliferation, creating "an unprecedented variety of linguistic variation", according to Danielle Abril ofthe Washington Post.[9][10][11] Self-deprecating irony is often a prevalent factor in its use.
Many Gen Z and Gen Alpha slang terms were not originally coined by their generation but were already in use or simply became more mainstream. Much of what is considered Gen Z and Gen Alpha slang originates fromAfrican-American Vernacular English andball culture.[9][12][13]
This is adynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help byediting the page to add missing items, with references toreliable sources.
Originated from rapperLil B The BasedGod, who defined it as "...being yourself. Not being scared of what people think about you. Not being afraid to do what you wanna do.”[16][17] More contemporary use has been to express approval of someone or agreeing with another's opinion. Similar toW.[18][19]
Used to describe something embarrassing or cringe, particularly in response to an offensive comment.[29]
bop
(1) Aderogatory term, usually for females, suggesting excessive flirtatiousness or promiscuity.[30] (2) An exceptionally good song.[31][32] (3) An acronym for "baddie on point", meaning someone who uses their appearance to make money.[33]
The state of losing touch with the real world as a result of consuminghyper-stimulating orchronically online content, especially when characterized by online buzzwords ("skibidi", "fanum tax", "rizz", etc). Derived from the idea that one's brain would "rot" from consuming too much stimulating, addictive or degenerate content.[34][35][36]
Refers to someone being indisputably caught doing something wrong or incriminating on camera or with evidence to prove it, referencing4K resolution.[44]
Swift and witty response to an insult or critique.[48]
cook
To "cook" is to perform or do well.[49][50] In contrast, when a person is "cooked", they are in trouble.[51]
cracked
To be skilled at something. Alternatively, "getting cracked" means to have sex.[52]
crash out
To make a reckless or regrettable decision after a bout of rage or upset.[53][54] Originated in the African-American community, specifically in Louisiana with usage by rappers likeNBA YoungBoy, but became popular on TikTok in 2024.[55][56]
Humorous to such an extent as to "kill you". Laughter and death have been associated since Ancient Greece, where it is held thatZeuxis died from laughing at a portrait of an ugly woman he was painting.[58][59]
delusionship
A relationship in which someone holds unrealistic or overly idealistic beliefs. A person who holds such beliefs is considered "delulu".[60][61][62]
dih
IronicAlgospeak for dick. Usually used with the wilting flower emoji (🥀)[63]
To maintain a high level ofsexual arousal for an extended period without reaching climax (orgasm).[65]
eeffoc
Coffee spelled backwards. Used in the context of "not caring" or "not giving a damn/fuck" (until I've had my coffee, I don't give eeffoc about anything).[66]
Short for "fixing to". The term has its roots in Southern American English, where "fixing to" has been used to mean "getting ready to" since the 18th century. Often used interchangeably with "gonna".[70]
fire
Term used to describe that something is impressive, good, or cool.[71] Also seelit. Alternative:flame.
fit/fit check
Term used to highlight or bring attention to one's outfit orfashion. "Fit" is a truncation of "outfit".[72]
A major improvement in one's self, usually an improvement in appearance, confidence, personality, and style. Frequently used in a context relating topuberty. A "glow-down" is a situation where someone's appearance has declined.[86]
A phrase that's mockingly used when one is told to do something and they do it. The phrase is derived from the way people praise dogs for doing an instructed task.[88][89]
Analgospeak term forrape typically used online to bypass automatic filters. The use of the grapeemoji in substitution for the word "rape" is also common.[94]
An initialism of homeboy/homegirl. Slang used to refer to one's friends.[96]
hit different
To be better in a distinctive manner. The origin of the term is unclear.[97]
huzz
A variation of the pejorative word "hoes" similarly used to objectify, degrade, and/or belittle women.[98] Originated and became popular onTikTok.[99] The term gained traction with its usage and teaching by streamerKai Cenat.[100]
Term describingGeneration Alpha children who spend most of their time consuming content via a phone or tablet screen.[106][107][108][109] The term was popularized in January 2021 after a 21-year-old TikToker criticized Millennial parents for allowing their children excessive screen time, saying, "I need everyone else in my generation to promise that we are not going to raise 'iPad children'. ... You've been shoving media and screens in these kids' faces since birth." He concludes: "Gen Z isn't allowed to raise iPad kids." The viral video garnered more than 525 million views on TikTok.[110][111]
it's giving
Used to describe an attitude or connotation.[112][113]
it's joever
Replacement forit's over, standing for complete physical and mental defeat. Emerged in 2024, whenJoe Biden withdrew from thepresidential election.[114]
iykyk
Acronym for "If you know, you know". Used to describe inside jokes.[115]
Italianbrainrot is characterized byabsurd images or videos created bygenerative artificial intelligence. It typically features hybrids of animals with everyday objects, food, and weapons.[116] They are given Italianized names or use stereotypical cultural markers and are accompanied by AI-generated audio of an Italian man's narration, which is often nonsensical.[117] The names of these characters often have Italiansuffixes, such as-ini or-ello.[118] These characters combine elements of surrealism, visual anxiety (uncanny valley) and internet irony, reflecting thepost-ironic humor ofGeneration Z.[119]
An African-American term originating in the 1970s. Often used to describe an inexperienced or young individual. Also used as a shorthand for “legit”[120][unreliable source?]
Pejorative term for an obnoxious, angry, or entitled (usually but not exclusively white and middle-aged) woman.[121][122][123][124] Alsomale Karen to denote a man of the same personality type.
A pseudoscientific method to restructure someone's jawline by pressing their tongue to the roof of their mouth. Coined by controversial British dentistJohn Mew and his son, Mike, the term became popular in the late 2010s and onTikTok.[132][133][134][135] Seelooksmaxxing.
mid
Average, mediocre, not bad or not special. Sometimes used in a negative or insulting way.[136]
mog
To look significantly more attractive than someone or something, causing them to appear inferior in comparison. Derived from AMOG, or "alpha male of the group".[137][138]
moot(s)
Short for "mutuals" or "mutual followers".[139][140]
Pejorative directed toward members of theBaby Boomer generation, used to dismiss or mock attitudes typically associated with baby boomers as out of date.[144][145][146]
oof
Used to express discomfort, surprise, dismay, or sympathy for someone else's pain. It also is the sound of aRoblox avatar when it dies or respawns. Thus the verb "to oof" can mean killing anotherplayer in a game or messing up something oneself.[147][148]
oomf
Abbreviation for "One of My Followers" or "One of My Friends".[149]
opp
Short for opposition or enemies; describes an individual's opponents. A secondary, older definition has the term be short for "other peoples' pussy". Originated fromstreet andgang culture.Dexerto claims that the primary definition stems from the secondary one, which was derived from a 1991Naughty by Nature song titled "O.P.P.". The initialism was derived from the acronym "OPM", which was used in the neighborhood the group grew up in and stood for "other people's money". An example of the term being used in popular culture is also in theGangsta rap scene, withYBN Nahmir and his song "Opp Stoppa". Dictionary.com implies that the origins for the two meanings had little to do with each other.[150]
out of pocket
To act (or say something) crazy, wild, unexpected, or extreme, sometimes to an extent that is considered too far; or unavailable.[10][151][152]
Used to refer to defeat in a video game, or domination of an opposition. Also less commonly used to describe defeat in sports. Originated in the 1990s as a term used to describe hackers gaining administrative control over another person's computer.[153]
Used as an interjection to indicate that the preceding statement is final and that there is nothing more to be said about it; similar to the British term "full stop". Originated as "period" in the early 1900s, spread in the 2010s via theCity Girls rap duo andBlack Twitter, and entered into the mainstream by 2019. The addition of the T stems from a common trend in Black English where T is used as a replacement for D.[154]
An endearing nickname for a close friend or lover. Originates from a German term of endearment in the 1900s. Also used as apet name.[159][160][161]
pushing P
A phrase meaning acting with integrity and style while maintaining and displaying one’s success. The P in the phrase is most often interpreted as standing for the slang word "player". Originated from atrap track by the rappersGunna,Future andYoung Thug.[162]
A person (usually female) deemed impressive or praiseworthy. Originates from the noun term "queen" which is used to describe a person of high importance and royalty, in this case, someone who did something of importance that "slayed".[163]
When a post, particularly onX (Twitter), receives more replies thanretweets and likes combined. It can also been used for when a reply has better reception and more likes than the original post being replied to. Originates from the mathematical term "ratio" which compares the quantitative relationship between a set of numbers.[163]
A warning sign indicating behaviors or characteristics within a relationship that may potentially be harmful or toxic. Oppositely, a green flag indicates positive aspects or healthy behaviors. The use of the term red flag as a warning traces back to the 18th century. Historically, red flags were used as signals during wars or battles to indicate danger.[164][165] The term green flag comes from the use of green-colored flags indicating permission to proceed. The concept of 'beige flags' has gained popularity to represent behaviors that are neither positive nor negative, but rather depend on individual preferences or boundaries.[25]
A random event, person, incident, or thing that fascinates or intrigues one to the point that one is frequently thinking about it. Originated in 2023 after influencer Saskia Cort encouraged herInstagram followers to ask their male partners how often they thought about theRoman Empire, to which many answered quite often. The term spread internationally and evolved to mean something that frequently occupies one's thoughts. It has also morphed into a joke about how often people think about/mention the Roman Empire.[167]
Used to describe someone who is behaving or expressing themselves in a resentful, bitter, or irritated manner. Originally referred to "racy" or "vulgar" sailors in the 1800s.[168]
SDIYBT
Acronym for "Start digging in your butt, twin". Used ironically.[169][170]
To behave in a bold, confident, feminine manner.[171]
sheesh
To praise someone when they are doing something good. The vowels are often emphasized, as in "sheeesh". The one being praised is to do the "ice in my veins" pose popularized by Basketball playerD'Angelo Russell. Believed to be a variation of another word such as "jeez", "Jesus", or "shit". First used in 1955 as a word to express "disappointment, annoyance or surprise".[42][172][173]
shook
To be shocked, surprised, or bothered. Became prominent inhip-hop starting in the 1990s, when it began to be used as a standalone adjective for uncontrollable emotions. One famous example isMobb Deep's 1995 single "Shook Ones, Part II". See alsoshooketh.[174][175]
sigma/sigma male
A person that is individualistic, self-reliant, successful, and is non-conforming to existing social norms. Used predominantly by themanosphere. Can also mean something that is good.[176][177]
Sycophancy, being overly affectionate in pursuit of a sexual relationship.[178][179]
situationship
Refers to an ambiguous romantic relationship in which both parties have feelings for one another, but said feelings are not clearly defined: a mid-point between dating and not dating.[180][181][182][183][184][185][186]
Used to convey happiness/laughter. A form ofkeysmashing. The earliest known usage is by Brazilian users on Twitter. Used by various British, African-American, and gay communities before becoming associated withstan Twitter in 2019. Became associated withVSCO girls. Similar forms can be found regionally, like the Indonesian "Wkwkwk" or the Korean "kkkk".[192][193]
slaps
Used to refer to something that is perceived to be good, particularly used when referring to music.[194]
Supporting something to an extreme degree. Specifically used in cases of overzealous or obsessive support of celebrities,[199][200] originating with theeponymous song byEminem.
Short term for suspect/suspicious. Popularized in 2018 by players of the online video gameAmong Us and received mainstream usage with the game's explosion in popularity in mid-2020 amidst theCOVID-19 pandemic.[201] According toMerriam-Webster, the term has been in use among English speakers since at least the 1960s.[202]
sussy baka
A combination of "sus" and "baka", the Japanese word for "fool". Stemmed fromTikToker Akeam Francis.[203]
Secret information or rumors. Originates fromBlackdrag culture of the 1990s. The letter "t" stood for "truth". "Spilling the tea" means to share gossip or rumors.[112][206]
touch grass
A way of telling someone to "go outside", usually after said person is believed to have been online for too long. Believed to have originated in 2015, before experiencing a resurgence in 2020–2021.[207][208]
Abbreviation ofuncle. Used in a mocking manner to refer to someone who is old or acting old.[215] Originated inAfrican American English in the early 2000s.
understood the assignment
To understand what was supposed to be done; to do something well. Popularized by American rapperTay Money's 2021 song "The Assignment". She posted a video on TikTok stating that she "understood the assignment".[216]
Used to portray happiness or one wanting to appear cute. Used more or less as an expression. Originated in the 2000s as anemoticon, with U's capitalized: UwU. The expression is commonly associated withe-girls,furries,femboys, andanime fandoms.[38][217][218]
Short for "win," used to indicate success, victory, or something positive. Often contrasted with"L" (loss).[222]
who is this diva?
An affectionate rhetorical question used to compliment people who positively embodydiva-like qualities such as boldness, style, and/or confidence.[223] Sometimes used with a purple heart emoji at the end.[224] Originated fromTikTok.[225]
To talk too much, especially without significant meaning. Speculated to be used as early as 1592 to express annoyance and irritation. Became aTikTok trend in 2023 for someone who talks too much or whose talking does not make sense.[226]
You good?
Derived fromAAVE, this phrase is a short hand of the usual "Are you okay?" greeting, and is generally used to express concern for an acquaintance's well-being. However, the phrase could have a variety of different meanings depending on the region.[227][228]
^Harshaw, Pendarvis (January 13, 2022)."Food Doesn't Slap".KQED-FM.Archived from the original on August 4, 2024. RetrievedAugust 4, 2024.The term 'Glizzy' reportedly originated in the greater Washington D.C. area, and is a euphemism for hot dog, but it comes from how folks would describe a glock ...
^Wang, Shirley (2023-08-08)."What Is IJBOL?".The New York Times.Archived from the original on 2023-08-18. Retrieved2024-04-11.Though it may sound like a Korean word or the name of a new boy band, IJBOL (pronounced "eej-bowl") ...
