20 Gen Z Slang Words You Need to Know to Not Be Cheugy

Generation Z, roughly encompassing those born in the late nineties, has brought with them a whole new world of slang and lingo.

Understanding their unique language can sometimes feel like decoding a secret message. But fear not, because with our list of 20 essential Gen Z slang words, you'll be up to speed in no time.

1. Fam:

   • Meaning: Fam is a shortened word for family, but it's often used to describe your friends, similar to how Millennials use "bro."

2. Glow up:

   • Meaning: A makeover or transformation from a less appealing state to a better one.

3. CEO:

   • Meaning: If you're the CEO of something, it means you've mastered it or you're a pro.

4. Cancel Culture:

   • Meaning: Cancel culture is a form of shaming the actions or opinions of a public figure, company, or organization.

5. Stan:

   • Meaning: It's a combination of "stalker" and "fan." If you stan someone, it means you're obsessed with them, but not in a creepy way.

6. E-boy or E-girl:

   • Meaning: These individuals are similar to emo or goth culture enthusiasts, but they use the internet as a means of self-expression.

7. W:

   • Meaning: To most, it's just a letter of the alphabet, but to Gen Z, it simply means "win."

8. Dank:

   • Meaning: If something is dank, it's excellent or of very high quality.

9. Ghosting:

   • Meaning: Common in the early stages of a relationship, ghosting someone means you start ignoring them or stop texting them back.

10. Salty:

    • Meaning: Gen Z uses this term when they're feeling jealous.

11. Big Yikes:

    • Meaning: Big Yikes is used when you're so embarrassed that "yikes" doesn't do justice.

12. Boujee:

    • Meaning: This term can be used if you're describing something or someone that is extravagant or fancy.

13. Finna:

    • Meaning: Finna is a shortened term for saying "I'm going to."

14. Cap:

    • Meaning: An older but still relevant term, cap means to lie. If you say "no cap," it means you are being authentic or truthful.

15. High-key:

    • Meaning: High-key is simply the opposite of being low-key.

16. Cheugy:

    • Meaning: Something that is cheugy is not at all trendy.

17. Simp:

    • Meaning: Someone who does way too much for the person they have a crush on.

18. Camp:

    • Meaning: Something that is ironically trendy. One might consider Crocs to be of the camp aesthetic.

19. Snack:

    • Meaning: A snack is a person that you find attractive.

20. TFW:

    • Meaning: TFW stands for "that feeling when." TFW you get off work early on a Friday.

Now, with these Gen Z slang words in your arsenal, you can keep up with the conversations and perhaps even impress your Gen Z kids with your newfound knowledge. No more FOMO— you're officially in the loop!