83 Generational Slang Terms for The Ages
Generational slang is the lingo that defines different age groups, from Baby Boomers to Gen Z, and even the emerging Gen Alpha. Every generation has its own set of unique words and phrases that capture the culture and trends of their time.
As language constantly evolves, what might sound cool to one generation could leave another totally confused (and maybe even cringing). But how do you know your “groovy” from your “yeet”?
Below is a handy guide to help you decode the slang of different generations, so you’ll always be in the know no matter who you’re talking to!
SlangHub Top Picks: Must-Know Generational Slang
Just want to sort the best from the rest? Here’s our top picks of slang that has transcended each generation and still gets us talking.
- Lit (Millennials) – It’s the ultimate word for something exciting or amazing.
“Last night’s concert was totally lit!”
- Bet (Gen Z) – A quick and casual way to say “sure” or “okay.”
“You’re down for pizza later? Bet!”
- Groovy (Boomers) – Classic coolness from the ’60s that’s still worth knowing.
“This playlist is groovy, man!”
- No cap (Gen Z) – “No lie,” or in other words, for real.
“This pizza is the best I’ve ever had, no cap.”
- Woke (Millennials) – Stay woke by being socially conscious and aware.
“He’s so woke when it comes to environmental issues.”
- Ghost (Millennials/Gen Z) – To suddenly stop communicating with someone, especially in dating, which can indicate avoidance or unhealthy communication habits.
“He totally ghosted me after our date.”
SlangHub’s Derogatory Watchlist
At SlangHub, we’re committed to an inclusive community that doesn’t promote derogatory slang. If you hear a loved one dropping one of the following generational terms, don’t be afraid to chat to them about it –
- Gyat (Gen Z) – An acronym to sexually describe a curvaceous women (Girl you’re a** thicc)
“GYAT DAMN!!”
- Thicc (Millennials/Gen Z) – Used to describe someone curvy in an attractive way.
“She’s looking thicc in that dress.”
- Snack (Gen Z) – Refers to someone attractive in a very objectifying way, potentially indicating superficial judgments about others.
“She’s looking like a snack today!”
The Rest…
- Bogus (Gen X) – Refers to something unfair, wrong or disappiting (or all three!).
“The test results were totally bogus”
- Rad (Gen X) – Short for radical; used to describe something impressive.
“That skateboard trick was totally rad!”
- Flex (Gen Z) – To show off or boast.
“He’s always flexing his new car on Instagram.”
- Bruh (Gen Z) – A casual term used to address a friend or express disbelief.
“Bruh, did you see that?”
- Dope (Millennials) – Something that’s extremely cool.
“That new album is dope!”
- Cringe (Gen Z) – Describes something awkward or embarrassing.
“That dance was so cringe.”
- FOMO (Millennials) – Fear of missing out on something fun or important.
“I can’t skip the party, I have serious FOMO.”
- Slaps (Gen Z) – Used to describe a song that’s really good.
“This playlist slaps!”
- Tight (Gen X) – Something really cool or close-knit.
“That concert was tight!”
- Bae (Millennials) – Short for “before anyone else,” used to refer to a significant other.
“I’m going to the movies with my bae tonight.”
- Low-key (Millennials) – Something understated or secretive.
“I’m low-key excited about the concert.”
- Yeet (Gen Z) – A term used to express excitement or throw something with force.
“He yeeted the ball across the field!”
- Boujee (Millennials/Gen Z) – Describes someone who’s luxurious or high-maintenance.
“She’s so boujee with her designer bags.”
- Mood (Gen Z) – Used when something perfectly reflects how you’re feeling.
“That nap was a total mood.”
- Adulting (Millennials) – Taking on responsibilities associated with being an adult.
“I’m tired of all this adulting.”
- Bitchin’ (Gen X) – Something that’s cool or exciting
“This new vinyl is bitchin'”
- Clutch (Gen X) – Something that comes in handy at the right moment.
“That coffee was clutch this morning.”
- Stan (Gen Z/Millennials) – A combination of “stalker” and “fan,” meaning someone who is an extreme fan.
“I totally stan that singer!”
- Salty (Millennials/Gen Z) – Being upset or annoyed, usually over something minor.
“He’s salty because he lost the game.”
- Big yikes (Gen Z) – A phrase used to express extreme embarrassment or awkwardness.
“When he tripped on stage, it was a big yikes.”
- Shade (Millennials) – A subtle insult or criticism.
“She threw shade at me during the meeting.”
- Hundo P (Gen Z) – Short for “100 percent,” meaning totally or absolutely.
“I’m hundo P down for the road trip!”
- Sus (Gen Z) – Short for suspicious or suspect.
“That deal seems kinda sus.”
- Tea (Gen Z) – Gossip or news.
“Spill the tea, what happened at the party?”
- Snatched (Gen Z) – Looking good, particularly in terms of fashion.
“Your outfit is snatched today!”
- Extra (Millennials/Gen Z) – Over the top or dramatic.
“She’s so extra with her reactions.”
- Whatevs (Gen X) – A casual way to say “whatever.”
“You’re mad? Whatevs.”
- Sick (Gen X) – Used to describe something awesome or cool.
“That car is sick!”
- Fam (Millennials/Gen Z) – Short for family, but also used to refer to close friends.
“What’s up, fam?”
- Thirsty (Millennials) – Desperate for attention or validation.
“He’s posting selfies because he’s thirsty for likes.”
- YOLO (Millennials) – “You Only Live Once,” a phrase encouraging reckless fun.
“I bought the plane tickets—YOLO!”
- Gucci (Gen Z) – Used to say something is good or cool.
“We’re all Gucci now, no worries.”
- Savage (Gen Z) – Someone who is tough or ruthless.
“She’s savage when she plays that game!”
- GOAT (Millennials/Gen Z) – Acronym for Greatest of All Time.
“Messi is the GOAT!”
- Shook (Gen Z) – Extremely surprised or shocked.
“I was shook when I heard the news.”
- JOMO (Millennials) – Joy of missing out; being happy not to participate.
“I’m staying in tonight, total JOMO.”
- OK, Boomer (Gen Z) – A dismissive phrase used to mock outdated attitudes.
“You don’t like TikTok? OK, Boomer.”
- Fire (Gen Z) – Used to describe something amazing.
“That dress is fire!”
- Turnt (Millennials) – Excited or hyped, especially at a party.
“Everyone was turnt at the concert.”
- Zonked (Boomers) – Extremely tired.
“I’m zonked after that long day at work.”
- Chill (Gen X/Millennials) – Relaxed or laid back.
“Let’s just chill this weekend.”
- Totes (Millennials) – Short for “totally.”
“That idea is totes amazing.”
- Dank (Millennials) – High-quality or cool.
“That meme is so dank.”
- Vibes (Gen Z) – The mood or atmosphere of a situation.
“This place has great vibes.”
- Throw shade (Millennials) – To subtly insult or criticize someone.
“She threw shade at her ex in that post.”
- Adulting (Millennials) – Handling responsibilities typical of adulthood.
“I’m not ready for all this adulting!”
- Chillax (Gen X) – A blend of “chill” and “relax.”
“Just chillax, everything’s under control.”
- On fleek (Millennials) – Something that’s perfectly done or looks great.
“Your eyebrows are on fleek!”
- Slay (Gen Z/Millennials) – To excel at something or look fabulous.
“You’re slaying that outfit today!”
- AF (Millennials) – Short for “as [expletive],” used to emphasize.
“I’m tired AF after that workout.”
- Basic (Millennials) – Someone who is unoriginal or mainstream.
“That pumpkin spice latte is so basic.”
- Finna (Gen Z) – Short for “fixing to,” meaning about to do something.
“I’m finna go to the gym.”
- Bussin’ (Gen Z) – Really good or tasty, especially for food.
“This pizza is bussin’!”
- Lowkey (Millennials/Gen Z) – To do something discreetly or without a fuss.
“I lowkey love that show.”
- Vibe check (Gen Z) – Assessing the mood or energy of someone or something.
“That party passed the vibe check.”
- Drip (Gen Z) – Refers to fashionable or stylish clothing.
“His outfit today is straight drip.”
- Kickin’ (Gen X) – Something that’s cool or happening
“This party is kickin’!”
- Veg out (Gen X) – To relax or do nothing,o often used while watching TV or playing video games.
“I just need to go veg out and watch Friends all day”
- Cis (Millennials) – Short for cisgender, meaning someone whose gender identity matches their birth sex.
“As a cis, it really is difficult for me to understand what trans people experience”
- Receipts (Millennials) – Proof or evidence, especially in arguments.
“Show me the receipts if you’re going to accuse me!”
- Drag (Gen Z) – To roast or criticize someone harshly.
“She totally dragged him for being late.”
- Big mood (Gen Z) – Used when something perfectly matches how you’re feeling.
“Me sleeping through my alarm? Big mood.”
- Swerve (Millennials) – To dodge or avoid something, often awkwardly.
“She tried to flirt with him, but he swerved her hard.”
- Glow-up (Gen Z) – A positive transformation, often in appearance.
“She had a major glow-up after high school!”
- Boujee (Gen Z) – Describes someone living a luxurious lifestyle.
“She’s acting real boujee with that new handbag.”
- Cap (Gen Z) – To lie or exaggerate.
“That story was cap, no way it happened!”
- Shooketh (Gen Z) – An exaggerated version of “shook,” used for extreme shock or disbelief.
“When I saw the surprise, I was shooketh!”
- Clap back (Millennials) – A sharp or witty retort, often in an argument.
“Her clap back was epic during the debate.”
- Litty (Gen Z) – An exaggerated version of “lit,” meaning something really fun or exciting.
“The party last night was litty!”
- Fam (Millennials/Gen Z) – Short for family or very close friends.
“What’s up, fam?”
- Far out (Boomers) – Used to describe something amazing or extraordinary.
“That movie was far out!”
- Cat (Boomers) – Refers to a cool person, especially in jazz culture.
“He’s one cool cat when he’s on stage.”
- Square (Boomers) – A term used to describe someone who is conventional or uncool.
“Don’t be such a square, come to the party!”
- Pad (Boomers) – A casual term for someone’s home or apartment.
“Let’s head back to my pad after the concert.
