Slang 1
Fam
Fam is used the way older generations may have used “bro” to refer to close friends that feel like family. Teens often will greet friends with a “Hey, fam!”
Shook
If your teen says “I’m shook” about something, they are shocked, surprised or overwhelmed. Shook can both be used positively to express awe or negatively to express fear or anxiety.
Example: “Omg I can’t believe my sister surprised me with tickets to Taylor Swift for my birthday! I was so shook!”
Mid
Mid is a shortened slang term for “middle” that refers to something that is just okay, average or unimpressive.
Goals
When something inspires aspirational envy, or two things go together extremely well, the reaction is, "Goals."
Hits Different
When something hits different, it is significantly better than usual, as in, "A nap on a cold, rainy afternoon just hits different."
Clapback
A clapback refers to a strong or witty response to someone’s insult or attack. Hitting someone with a good clapback often shows someone is winning in an argument and has a better, more biting retort ready to counter their original point or criticism.
Drip
In slang terms, drip is a synonym for style, particularly the fashionable or sexy kind. If millennials had swag, Generation Z has drip.
Fire/Trash
Think of these two as opposite ends of the cool spectrum. Something wonderful is fire, while something terrible is trash.
Fit
When teenagers use this word, they're usually not talking about someone who's been hitting the gym. Instead, fit is short for outfit.
Low-key
When your teen wants to express a feeling or desire without coming on too strong, she may add the adjective low-key or lowkey to help downplay it.
Iykyk
This one is a pure and simple acronym. Ikyky = if you know you know. And now you know.
Fell off
Has a celeb who previously reigned supreme, really not been killing it as much lately or totally disappeared off the radar? For cases such as these, you could say they fell off.
Aesthetic
Finding a particular “aesthetic” or style is a big trend among teens on social media, and is often used as another way that Gen Z experiments with their style and self-expression.
Someone’s aesthetic can refer to their fashion, music taste, bedroom decor preferences or just general vibe or interests. Some popular aesthetics of the 2020s include Y2K, E-Girl/E-Boy, Dark Academia, Downtown Girl, and many, many more!
Boujee
Boujee is a shortened version of the French word bourgeoisie and is used to refer to something high-class, fancy or expensive. Oftentimes this is used as a bit of a mocking term for someone with expensive taste or who is trying to give off the impression that they’re wealthy.
Mood
Moods are something your teenager has in bulk. But when it comes to Gen Z slang, mood refers to something the speaker can relate to or agrees with. For example, after a tough day, your teen might post a photo of a screaming toddler with the caption "Mood" to express solidarity. Mutuals
Mutuals, sometimes shorted to moots, are two people who follow each other and interact on social media. It's a common word on TikTok and other platforms to refer to internet friends.
Era
Think of this as a substitute for “phase”. Super into ramen lately? Looks like you’re in your ramen era. Maybe someone’s been causing a lot of drama recently — they’re in their villain era.
Slay
Okay okay, hear me out: I know this isn’t new. In fact, at this point “slay” is practically vintage slang. But she’s having a resurgence, and this time not only as a verb, but also as an adjective. “She slayed that” = she killed it. “That’s so slay” = that’s amazing/cool/great. This one also works as just a standalone compliment: “slay”.
Bussin
Bussin is used among teens to refer to anything that is very good/positive. Ex. “That party on Saturday was bussin!”
Cap/No Cap
Cap is a term referring to something fake/not authentic. Therefore, no cap refers to being real, authentic, and truthful.
Savage
The exact meaning may vary, but savage, like dope or fierce, is definitely a compliment. A teen may call their friend savage for a particularly well-done insult or retort. Doing something savage shows bravery or a total lack of care/fear.
As Megan Thee Stallion and Beyonce taught us, anyone or anything savage refers to something extremely cool and unbothered.
It’s giving
You can throw this one into conversation to describe the vibe something is giving you. Is a dress you’re trying on a little too long and formal? Maybe it’s giving prom. Your friends have choreographed a particularly cheesy dance? Maybe it’s giving High School Musical. In fact, if something is just great, you can also use “it’s giving” as a standalone compliment.
Gatekeep
This one stays pretty close to its original definition, but it’s used in a slightly different context. Don’t want to share that new cute cafe you found? Or maybe your friend is being cagey about where they got their new top. This is referred to as gatekeeping. And, for the record, cool kids don’t gatekeep.
Sus/Sussy
Sus or Sussy is an increasingly popular alternative gen Z slang term that is shortened version of “suspicious.” It entered the mainstream thanks to the video game “Among Us” and now refers to anyone or anything that seems a little...off.
It’s the “X” for Me
It's the __ for me is a versatile Gen Z phrase that emphasizes a particular aspect of someone’s appearance or behavior that either caught their interest in a positive or repulsive way.
For example, if a teen debuts a great new makeup look before a date, their friends may respond “It’s the red lipstick for me.”
Alternatively, when mocking or complaining about something like an unfair teacher, you could use this phrase like “it’s the yelling at 6 am on a Tuesday for me...”
Lives Rent-Free
Saying that someone or something “lives rent-free” in your mind describes when you can’t stop thinking or obsessing about a particular person or situation, even though they likely aren’t thinking about you.
Describing holding onto grudges, resentments or anxieties as letting them “live rent-free” emphasizes that these thoughts are only harming yourself and taking away from your well-being.