Gen Z Starter Pack
The Gen Z and TikTok vocabulary defining how young people talk right now.
50 terms
Charisma, charm, or the ability to attract a romantic partner through smooth talk and confident ener…
To do something exceptionally well or look amazing doing it. Originated in drag ballroom culture ("s…
Mediocre — distinctly worse than good, slightly better than bad. A dismissive verdict that something…
A lie — flat-out untrue, inflated, or an exaggerated claim. "Capping" (verb) is the act of lying. "N…
Suspicious; giving off the feeling something isn't right. "He's acting sus" = something's off. Can t…
To throw something with great force and very little care for where it lands. Also an exclamation ("Y…
Extremely good — usually food, but increasingly applied to songs, weather, and outfits. The doubled …
The vibe or energy someone gives off, quantified in imaginary "aura points." Cool moments add aura (…
The mental state of consuming too much low-quality repetitive short-form content. Also refers to the…
No lie; for real. "Cap" is a lie — so "no cap" is the opposite. Used to emphasize that what you're s…
"Okay," "sure," or "sounds good" — a one-word affirmative. Can also be a challenge acceptance ("I'll…
Greatest Of All Time. Used for the best ever at something — sports, music, any competitive endeavor.…
A sudden, irrational feeling of disgust toward a romantic partner, triggered by something small they…
A directive to go outside and experience the real world — usually aimed at someone too invested in o…
An assessment of someone's energy or mood — passing means they're cool to be around, failing means t…
To go off intensely — either positive ("pop off, queen!" = go do your thing) or negative (explode at…
A nonsense adjective and intensifier used by Gen Alpha. Meaning is fully contextual — can be positiv…
Exciting, awesome, or high-energy. Describes parties, songs, events, moods — anything you'd want to …
Delusional, affectionately — believing in something unlikely (usually a crush or dream outcome) desp…
Taking a bite or portion of a friend's food without asking — a playful "tax" on their meal. Reach ac…
A lone-wolf male archetype — independent, self-reliant, supposedly above the alpha/beta hierarchy. O…
To show off — possessions, skills, achievements, partners, views. "Hard flex" = unmissable brag. "So…
A song so good you have to bop your head to it — the universal Gen-Z compliment for a track. "This i…
Agreeing with something strongly because it's bold, authentic, or unafraid to be unpopular. The oppo…
To do something extremely well; to go off. "Let him cook" means let him keep doing what he's doing —…
"If you know, you know." An inside-joke disclaimer for references only a specific subculture, friend…
Absolutely doomed or destroyed — mentally, physically, or situationally. The passive voice of the co…
Abbreviation of "for real for real." Used to emphasize sincerity — the doubled "real" is the point. …
Something that affects you more than expected — a song, food, or moment that lands harder in a speci…
To talk excessively about nothing important. A "yapper" is someone who won't stop talking; a "yap se…
Did something so flawlessly there was nothing left to critique. Highest tier of praise for a perform…
Excessively praising or kissing up to someone. In Gen Z usage it's the social register; in tech it a…
The imaginary score tallying how cool your actions are. Winning a game with a trick shot? +500. Trip…
Short for "uncle." Used to address or describe an older guy — affectionately ("unc just came through…
Pressing the tongue against the roof of the mouth, allegedly to sharpen the jawline. Became a meme a…
An exclamation of surprise or admiration — typically at someone's body shape. Essentially a stylized…
Having an emotional breakdown — losing your temper, crying, or losing control publicly. Often threat…
Entering a hyper-focused state to get something done. Implies shutting out distractions and grinding…
Ugly, or badly put together. The opposite of "cooked" (in the complimentary sense). Can describe a p…
Verb form of GOAT. Describes something of the highest quality — "that pizza is goated." The weekend …
Being so much more attractive than the people around you that the difference is visible in photos. O…
A perceptible change in cultural mood — fashion, music, collective mindset — that suddenly renders l…
Bitter or resentful — usually after a loss or a perceived slight. From the taste of someone's tears.…
Seriously, no joke. Used to emphasize that what follows is 100% sincere, even if it sounds unbelieva…
Temporarily emotional — melancholy, sentimental, or soft — often triggered by a song, memory, or lat…
Short affirmative — "that's true" or "I agree." One-word reply to a relatable statement. Sometimes d…
Standard English: water dripping; a small slow drop. The slang style sense is metaphorical (style "d…
"I love you." Acronym used casually among friends — it softens the weight of the phrase while still …
Share the gossip — tell me everything, no skipping parts. The verb form of "tea." Invitations to spi…
Intentionally resting, journaling, or doing anything that makes you feel better as a form of self-ca…