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10 Common Slang Words Used by Gen Z in English and What they Mean

Posted on May 3, 2022January 7, 2023 By The Lingwist

Generation Z refers to the generation that was born between 1997-2012, following millennials. This generation has been raised on the internet and social media, with some of the oldest finishing colleges by 2020 and entering the workforce.

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The most striking change in this generation is the ability to coin words regularly following the rapid changes in the world. SO, here are some of the most common slang words used in the English language today:

1.     Boujee.

This term can be used if you’re describing something or someone that is extravagant or fancy.

2.     Caught in 4k

Caught someone red-handed and have the receipts to prove it? You’ve caught them in 4k with solid, digital evidence. Another popular phrase on TikTok, it can often be accompanied by the camera emoji to really bring home the fact that you’ve been exposed.

3.     Cheugy

This word (pronounced choo-gee) has swooped in to replace old fan-favorite “basic”. It refers to the painfully mainstream or, along the same vein, someone hanging onto things that were cool years ago but would now be deemed basic or “cheugy”.

4. Fam

Fam is a shorter word for family, but don’t be fooled– it can be used to describe your friends or the way Millennials use “bro”.

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5.     Hangry

When you are so hungry that you are angry! (probably the most relatable slang word Gen Z taught us).

I’m so hangry right now I could eat five burgers in one sitting!

6. Extra

When someone is “extra”, it means they are unnecessarily dramatic, excessive, over the top or a “drama queen”.

She invited the entire school to her birthday. She’s so extra!

7. Lit

When something is very good, enjoyable, or exciting, you can say it’s “lit”.

Dude, the party last night was lit! Where were you?

8. Salty

You can say someone is salty when they get upset or angry over something minor.

Nick is so salty since his parents took away his car!

9. To ghost someone

When you cut off communication with someone you’re no longer interested in.

OMG! Did you hear Cristina ghosted Matt?

10.  Vibe check

Is someone acting shady or negative? Sounds like they didn’t pass the vibe check. This describes when you check in on someone’s vibe and assess what it’s giving. Good vibes? You’ve passed the vibe check.

Applied Linguistics, English Tags:Common slang words, Common Slang Words by Gen Z, Generation Z, Slang words

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