From “Bet” to “Periodt,” Gen Z has created a slang universe that can leave even the savviest millennials scratching their heads. Born between 1997 and 2012, this generation has developed a lingo that feels like a secret code complete with acronyms, single-letter expressions, and playful twists on everyday words. Check these words below if you have confusion over Genz words.
Bet
Used to express agreement or confirmation.
Example: “Are you coming for the match tonight?” “Bet!”
Cap
Means falsity or lying.
Example: “He said he would submit the project today, but that’s cap.”
Delulu
Short for ‘delusional,’ someone unrealistically optimistic.
Example: “Me and my delulu self against the world.”
FOMO
Fear of missing out.
Example: “I have major FOMO after missing Taylor’s concert.”
Ghost
Stopping communication abruptly.
Example: “He ghosted me after our first date.”
Gucci
Means good, cool, or amazing.
Example: “How was the party?” “It was Gucci!”
Hard Launch
Making something public without warning.
Example: “She hard-launched her boyfriend on Instagram.”
JOMO
Joy of missing out, opposite of FOMO.
Example: “I won’t go to the party tonight; I’m having a JOMO moment.”
Kiki
A fun hangout or party.
Example: “We are going to Sabrina’s house for a kiki.”
Lit
Exciting or awesome.
Example: “The decor at the party was totally lit.”
Main Character Energy
Feeling confident, like the protagonist of your story.
Example: “She walked into the party with main character energy.”
Noob
A beginner or inexperienced person.
Example: “The new actor in the movie is such a noob.”
Orbiting
Following someone online without engaging.
Example: “I am guilty of orbiting my ex’s Instagram.”
Quiet Luxury
Understated but very expensive.
Example: “She prefers quiet luxury in dressing up.”
Salty
Being bitter or upset.
Example: “I am feeling salty after losing the game.”
Slay
Doing something impressively well.
Example: “She totally slayed the runway.”
Woke
Being aware of social justice issues.
Example: “My friend is quite woke, she campaigns for women’s rights.”
Cancel Culture
Shaming public figures, companies, or organizations for actions or opinions.
Stan
Combination of “stalker” and “fan”; showing obsessive admiration.
Dank
Excellent or high quality.
Snack
A person you find attractive.
Sip Tea
Listening to gossip without participating.
L
A loss, opposite of W.
Take Several Seats
Telling someone to back off.
Bop
A song or album that’s exceptionally good.
Sheesh
Used to hype someone up.
Iykyk
“If you know, you know,” often for inside jokes.
Living Rent-Free
Something you can’t stop thinking about.
Vibe Check
Checking someone’s energy or mood.
Hits Different
When something feels unique or better than usual.
Periodt
Adds emphasis or intensity to a statement.
Drag
Criticizing or making fun of someone.
Finesse
Tricking or manipulating to get what you want.
Sofia Babu Chacko is a journalist with over five years of experience covering Indian politics, crime, human rights, gender issues, and stories about marginalized communities. She believes that every voice matters, and journalism has a vital role to play in amplifying those voices. Sofia is committed to creating impact and shedding light on stories that truly matter. Beyond her work in the newsroom, she is also a music enthusiast who enjoys singing.
