30 of the Most Common Gen Z Slang Words, Decoded
Updated: Sep. 08, 2023
This list hits different, fam.
What’s Gen Z saying?
Have you ever heard a group of Gen Z-ers talking and thought, “Wait, what does that word even mean?” If so, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Just like the generations before them, Gen Z uses specific slang words in conversations—some of those slang words are even new words in the dictionary.
If you aren’t in that generation, though, Gen Z slang may be a whole new ballpark for you. No worries—we’ve put together an alphabetical list of some of the most common Gen Z slang terms and decoded them to keep you in the know.
Basic
Meaning: A word to describe someone who likes mainstream things and is considered unoriginal.
Example: “His taste in music is pretty basic.”
RELATED: Slang Words No One Outside Your State Will Understand
Bet
Meaning: A term for agreement or approval.
Example: “Are we still on for Saturday night?” “Bet.”
Big yikes
Meaning: Think of it as an emphasis on the word “yikes”—it’s something that’s really embarrassing, disturbing, or shocking.
Example: “My mom called me 30 times after I broke curfew—big yikes.”
Bop
Meaning: A really good song or beat.
Example: “Listen to this new song—it’s a bop.”
Canceled
Meaning: To stop supporting something or someone by doing a number of things, including boycotting their work, products, or unfollowing on social media.
Example: “I can’t believe that company was caught dumping waste in the river—it’s canceled.”
Cap
Meaning: Something that’s considered false or an outright lie. It’s most commonly used in the phrase “no cap,” which means “no lie.”
Example: “That was the best pizza I’ve ever had—no cap.”
Catch these hands
Meaning: To start a fight. It’s typically used in a confrontational matter.
Example: “Get out of my way—you don’t want to catch these hands.”
Drag
Meaning: To criticize or make fun of something. Many people equate dragging someone to roasting someone.
Example: “Why are you dragging me so hard today?”
RELATED: 15 Slang Words You Didn’t Know Were in the Dictionary
Drip
Meaning: A cool sense of style. It can refer to clothes or the way someone carries themselves.
Example: “Her drip is iconic.”
Fam
Meaning: A shortened term for “family” typically used to describe one’s inner circle.
Example: “I’m hanging out with the fam today.”
Finesse
Meaning: The act of getting what you want by tricking or manipulating someone.
Example: “I finessed my co-worker into covering my shifts next week.”
Ghosted
Meaning: To stop communicating with someone out of the blue.
Example: “I was talking to this guy, but he ghosted me last week.”
Glow up
Meaning: To go through a positive physical, mental, or spiritual change.
Example: “He had a major glow up over the summer.”
High key
Meaning: The opposite of “low key;” commonly used when you want to emphasize something. Synonyms include “really” and “very.”
Example: “I high-key love those shoes.”
Hits different
Meaning: Used to describe something that stands out from the rest or makes you feel different compared to other things.
Example: “My mom’s cooking just hits different.”
I’m dead
Meaning: An expression to use when you find something hilarious.
Example: “Did you hear her crack that joke? I’m dead.”
Main character
Meaning: A phrase used to describe someone who seems to naturally have charismatic energy that draws people in. Someone described as a “main character” tends to be well-liked, confident, and knows they’re in control of their life. If a movie were to be made, they’d be the main character.
Example: “Debbie’s definitely the main character in this group.”
Periodt
Meaning: A more intense version of “period,” meant to add emphasis to the point being made.
Example: “This is the best song I’ve ever heard—periodt.”
Pressed
Meaning: Being mad or upset about something.
Example: “Why are you so pressed about what they said?”
RELATED: How Many of These 13 Old-School Slang Words Do You Know?
Sis
Meaning: A shortened version of “sister” typically used as an affectionate greeting for a close friend.
Example: “Sis, it’s been too long! How are you?”
Sending me
Meaning: A term to describe how funny you find something.
Example: “This movie is sending me—you have to see it.”
Slaps
Meaning: An adjective that describes how great something is.
Example: “This song slaps!”
Snack
Meaning: A term to describe someone you think is good-looking.
Example: “They’re looking like a snack today.”
RELATED: 10 Funny Vintage Slang Words People Should Start Using Again
Snatched
Meaning: A term to describe something that looks really good, typically when it comes to style.
Example: “Your outfit is snatched!”
Stan
Meaning: Another word for someone who’s a super fan, and sometimes excessively enthusiastic of, a celebrity’s work. The term originated from Eminem’s song “Stan.”
Example: “She’s a Taylor Swift stan.”
Sus
Meaning: Short for “suspicious.” It typically means something is not as it may seem.
Example: “That story is sus.”
Tea
Meaning: Another word for gossip.
Example: “Sit down—I have some tea to spill.”
RELATED: These 17 “Modern” Words Are Much Older Than You Thought
Vibe
Meaning: The mood or emotional state someone has. People typically radiate this and people associated that vibe with that specific person.
Example: “She has such a chill vibe.”
Wig
Meaning: An expression used when something completely blows you away. It would refer to the fact that, if you had a wig on, what happened would cause so much shock and admiration that it would fly off your head.
Example: “Did you see that concert?! Wig!”
Next, find out what does the word “literally” mean.
Yeet
Meaning: So this one technically has two meanings. One is a word that’s essentially an exclamation of approval or excitement. The other is to describe a powerful throw.
Example 1: “He yeeted the football 30 yards!”
Example 2: “Did you see that throw? Yeet!”
Now that you know what these common Gen Z slang words mean, expand your vocabulary further by checking out these funny words you probably didn’t know existed.
