50 Gen Z Slang Words You Need To Know

Trying to decode Gen Z language? Between chaotic gen z wording in group chats and TikTok comments, it can feel like you need a full gen z slang dictionary just to keep up.

This little guide breaks down 50 gen z slang terms in plain English. We’ll hit the big ones people ask about all the time – finesse meaning, what does dank mean, drip slang meaning / what does drip mean slang, niche meaning slang, boujee meaning, homie meaning – plus a bunch of everyday slang words for texting.

You’ll also see plenty of gen z slang for good (their slang for cool), so the next time someone drops a weird phrase in the group chat, you’re not totally lost, iykwim.

Your quick Gen Z slang dictionary

1. Slay
   To do something amazingly well or look incredible. “You slayed that presentation.”
2. Bet
   Means “okay,” “sure,” or “got it.” Can also be “we’ll see” in a slightly challenging way. “You’ll be there by 8?” – “Bet.”
3. Sus
   Short for “suspicious.” If someone seems off, they’re sus. Basically a Gen Z another word for suspicious.
4. Cap
   A lie. “That’s cap” = “That’s not true.”
5. No cap
   “I’m not lying” / “for real.” Used to show you’re serious: “That movie was amazing, no cap.”
6. Vibe
   The overall feeling, mood, or energy of a person, place, or situation. “This café has such a chill vibe.”
7. Vibes
   Same idea as “vibe,” just plural. “Good vibes only” = positive energy only.
8. Low-key
   A little bit, secretly, or quietly. “I’m low-key nervous about tomorrow’s exam.”
9. High-key
   The opposite of low-key. A lot, openly, loudly. “I high-key love this song.”
10. Drip
    Your outfit and style, especially if it’s expensive or put-together. The drip slang meaning / what does drip mean slang: stylish clothes and accessories that make you look cool.
11. Boujee
    The boujee meaning: someone who likes fancy, high-end things and has a “luxury” taste. “She’s so boujee with her designer bags.”
12. Finna
    Short for “fixing to,” meaning “about to” or “going to.” That’s the finna meaning. “I’m finna leave in five minutes.”
13. Flex
    To show off (usually money, clothes, success). “He’s always flexing his new sneakers.”
14. Simp
    Someone who does way too much for someone they like or are crushing on. “He drove two hours to bring her coffee? That’s a simp move.”
15. Stan
    A super dedicated fan. “I stan this artist so hard.”
16. Ghost
    To suddenly stop responding to messages or calls with no explanation. “She ghosted me after our third date.”
17. Tea
    Gossip or interesting info. “Spill the tea” means “tell me what happened.”
18. Spill the tea
    To share the gossip. “Okay, spill the tea about last night.”
19. Salty
    Bitter or annoyed about something small. “He’s still salty about losing that game.”
20. Dank
    Originally about high-quality weed, but online the answer to what does dank mean is: really good, impressive, or hilariously weird (often for memes). “That meme is dank.”
21. Cheugy
    Outdated or trying too hard to be cool. Not quite trendy anymore. “Skinny jeans are kind of cheugy now.”
22. Rizz
    Charisma or flirt game. If you have rizz, you’re smooth. “He’s got so much rizz, everyone flirts back.”
23. Mid
    Mediocre, just okay, not great. “The movie was mid.”
24. Based
    Being unapologetically yourself or saying what you believe, even if it’s unpopular. “Honestly, that’s a based opinion.”
25. Ratio
    When a reply gets way more likes than the original post, basically drowning it out. “That tweet got ratio’d so hard.”
26. Ate
    To do something amazingly well. “She ate that performance” = she absolutely killed it (in a good way).
27. Hits different
    Feels extra special or emotional for some reason. “This song hits different at 2 a.m.”
28. Periodt
    Used to emphasize the end of a statement, like “end of discussion.” “You deserve better, periodt.”
29. It’s giving…
    Used to describe what something feels like or reminds you of. “This outfit? It’s giving main character.”
30. IYKWIM
    Short for “if you know what I mean.” One of those classic slang words for texting you’ll see all the time.
31. Finesse
    The finesse meaning in Gen Z language: to get what you want smoothly, sometimes a bit sneaky, but skillful.
    “Finessing” is the act of doing that. “He finessed his way into VIP somehow.”
32. Pressed
    Really upset or bothered. “Why are you so pressed about a meme?”
33. Extra
    Over-the-top dramatic or doing too much. “Bringing a whole ring light to lunch is so extra.”
34. Snatched
    Looking very good or perfectly put together (often about hair, makeup, or outfit). “Your waist is snatched in that dress.”
35. Delulu
    Short for “delusional,” but used playfully, especially about crushes or daydreams. “Thinking he’ll text you after ghosting is a little delulu.”
36. Dead
    Used when something is extremely funny. “That joke? I’m dead.”
37. OOMF
    “One of my followers.” Usually on social media. “OOMF posted the funniest TikTok today.”
38. Fix your face
    Telling someone to change their annoyed or judgy expression. “You don’t like them, but fix your face.”
39. Main character
    Someone acting like the star of their own movie. “We’re just side characters, she’s the main character.”
40. Touch grass
    A way of saying “log off, go outside, get some real-life perspective.” “You’ve been arguing in comments for three hours, go touch grass.”
41. Situationship
    More than friends, less than a defined relationship. “We’re not dating, it’s just a situationship.”
42. Glow up
    A big positive transformation in looks, confidence, or life. “Your glow up since high school is insane.”
43. Homie
    A close friend you trust. The homie meaning is basically “good friend” or “buddy.” “He’s my day-one homie.”
44. Preppy
    Linked to the preppy fashion style: neat, classic, “fancy school” vibes—polos, tennis skirts, cardigans, loafers.
45. Niche
    In niche meaning slang, it’s about a very specific, sometimes weird interest or corner of the internet. “That meme is so niche but I love it.”
46. Valid
    Solid, understandable, or agreeable. Often part of gen z slang for good. “Your point is valid.”
47. Fire
    Means really good, impressive, or cool. Definite slang for cool and gen z slang for good. “That song is fire.”
48. GOAT
    Stands for “Greatest Of All Time.” Used for the best of the best. “Serena is the GOAT.”
49. Yeet
    To throw something with force OR just an excited exclamation. “He yeeted the ball across the yard.”
50. FR
    Short for “for real.” Used to show you’re serious or really agree: “That food was amazing, fr.”

You don’t have to memorize every single one, but with these 50 cool slang words, most Gen Z wording in texts and comments will start making way more sense. And hey, next time someone drops a “dank meme” or says your outfit has “drip,” you’ll know they’re actually giving you a compliment, not speaking in code.

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