Welcome to your ultimate guide to Gen Z slang! If you’ve ever overheard someone say something was “bussin” or wondered what it means when someone has “rizz,” you’re in the right place. This comprehensive dictionary covers all the essential Gen Z slang terms you need to know in 2025.
Each term includes a quick definition and context so you can finally understand what’s being said around you. For deeper explanations and examples of how these terms are actually used, check out our focused guides on specific topics like workplace slang, dating terms, and TikTok language.
A
- ASL (as hell) – Used for emphasis, meaning “extremely” or “very.” “That test was hard ASL.”
- Ate that – Did something perfectly or impressively. “She absolutely ate that presentation.”
- Aesthetic – Visually pleasing in a specific style or vibe. Can be used as a noun or adjective.
B
- Babygirl – Used affectionately for someone endearing, regardless of gender. “Pedro Pascal is babygirl.”
- Bae goals – Often used ironically to describe couples that seem unrealistically perfect.
- Based – Unapologetically confident or expressing a bold opinion, often used ironically. “That’s such a based take.”
- Be so real – Used to call out exaggeration or denial; means “let’s be honest.” “Be so real, you know you liked that movie.”
- Beige flag – A trait that’s not good or bad, just boring or unremarkable. Less serious than a red flag.
- Bestie – Close friend, but often used ironically or sarcastically toward strangers online.
- Bet – Means “okay,” “yes,” or “for sure.” Shows agreement or confirmation.
- Black cat energy – Someone who’s mysterious, independent, and a bit aloof. Opposite of golden retriever energy.
- Bodied – Completely dominated or defeated someone, usually in an argument or competition.
- Boy math – Joking about illogical male reasoning patterns. “Boy math is buying a $500 TV to save money on movie tickets.”
- Brainrot – Consuming so much repetitive media (especially TikTok) that your attention span feels damaged.
- Bussin – Really good, especially when describing food. “This pizza is bussin!”
C
- Camp / It’s camp – Over-the-top, theatrical, or deliberately exaggerated; “so bad it’s good” or intentionally absurd.
- Canon event – A life experience that shapes someone’s character development, often unavoidable. “Getting your heart broken in high school is a canon event.”
- Capybara energy – Calm, unbothered, and peaceful vibe, based on the relaxed nature of capybaras.
- Caught in 4K – Being caught doing something embarrassing or questionable with clear evidence.
- CEO of [something] – Being the best at something or doing it constantly. “She’s the CEO of overthinking.”
- Chef’s kiss – Something that’s absolutely perfect, often used with the “OK” hand gesture.
- Cheugy – Outdated, trying too hard to be trendy, or no longer cool. Pronounced “chew-gee.”
- Chile – “Child” but used as an expression of disbelief or exasperation. Often spelled this way online.
- Cleared – Did something so well that you surpassed everyone else completely.
- Clean girl aesthetic – A minimalist beauty and style approach focusing on natural looks and effortless vibes.
- Cook / You’re cooking – Doing something really well, especially creatively. “You’re cooking with this outfit.”
- Cooked – Done, ruined, or mentally exhausted. “My brain is cooked after that exam.” Often paired with brainrot.
- Corecore – A TikTok aesthetic trend mixing deep emotion, nostalgia, and existential themes.
- Cringe – Extremely embarrassing or uncomfortable to watch. Makes you physically recoil.
D
- Delulu – Short for “delusional,” used playfully to describe over-optimism, especially about relationships. “I’m so delulu thinking he likes me back.”
- Devoured – Absolutely dominated or did something exceptionally well. Similar to “ate that.”
- Down bad – Desperately attracted to someone or in a pathetic romantic situation. “He’s down bad for her.”
- Drip – Excellent fashion sense or style. “Your outfit has serious drip.”
F
- Facts – Concise, emphatic agreement meaning “that’s absolutely true.” “This project needs more resources.” “Facts.” Shows strong validation and support for what someone said.
- Fan behavior – Doing too much admiration or obsessing over someone; used sarcastically. “You liking all his posts? That’s fan behavior.”
- Fire – Excellent, amazing, or really good. Can describe music, food, outfits, anything positive.
- Fit check – Showing off your outfit, usually on social media. Short for “outfit check.”
- FR (for real) – Used for emphasis or agreement. “That movie was good FR.”
- FYP (for you page) – The main feed on TikTok where the algorithm shows you personalized content.
G
- Gagged – Shocked, impressed, or left speechless by something unexpected. “That plot twist had me gagged.”
- Gatekeep – Withholding information to keep something exclusive or niche. “Don’t gatekeep that skincare routine.”
- Girl math – Joking about female logic patterns, especially around spending. “Girl math says this dress was free because I used store credit.”
- Glow up – A positive transformation, usually in appearance or confidence, often over time.
- Go off – Either to get angry/upset OR to do something really well (context-dependent).
- Golden retriever energy – Someone who’s enthusiastic, loyal, and friendly. Opposite of black cat energy.
- GRWM (get ready with me) – A type of video showing someone’s routine getting dressed, doing makeup, etc.
- Gaslight / Gatekeep / Girlboss – Iconic trio phrase:
- Gatekeep: withholding information to keep something exclusive
- Gaslight: manipulating someone’s perception of reality
- Girlboss: toxic positivity around female empowerment
- GYAT / GYATT – Exclamation about someone attractive, often considered inappropriate. Multiple T’s add emphasis.
H
- Highkey – Openly, obviously, or to a high degree. Opposite of lowkey. “I highkey hate that song.”
- Healing era – A period focused on self-improvement and recovering from past experiences.
- Hits different – Something that’s exceptionally good or affects you in a special way.
I
- Ick / The ick – A sudden feeling of disgust or turn-off, especially in dating contexts.
- IJBOL (I just burst out laughing) – A newer alternative to “LOL” that Gen Z actually uses.
- I’m deceased – Something was so funny or shocking that you metaphorically “died” from it.
- I’m screaming – Something is so funny, shocking, or unbelievable that you’re metaphorically screaming.
- ISTG (I swear to god) – Used for emphasis when making a serious point or promise.
- It’s giving – It gives off a certain vibe or energy. “This outfit is giving main character energy.”
- It’s giving delusion – Hybrid phrase for playful criticism of unrealistic confidence.
- IYKYK (if you know you know) – Referring to something only certain people will understand.
L
- L – A loss or failure. “Taking an L on that test.”
- Living rent free – When something (usually annoying) stays in your mind constantly without you wanting it to.
- Lowkey – Somewhat, secretly, or to a small degree. “I lowkey love this song.”
- L + ratio – A harsh comeback combining “you took a loss” with getting ratioed (more negative responses).
M
- Main character energy – Acting like you’re the protagonist of your own life; confident and self-focused.
- Main character syndrome – When someone overdramatizes their life as if they’re in a movie.
- Main quest / Side quest – Life-as-video-game metaphor for priorities. “I’m on a side quest getting snacks instead of studying.”
- Mid – Mediocre, average, or disappointing. Not terrible, but not good either.
- Mother / She’s mother – Complimenting someone as iconic, powerful, or legendary. “Beyoncé is mother.”
N
- NGL (not gonna lie) – Used before stating an honest opinion or admission.
- No cap – No lie, for real, being completely honest. “That concert was amazing, no cap.”
- No rizz – Having no charm or ability to flirt successfully.
- Not it – Something doesn’t work, misses the mark, or isn’t the right choice. “Those shoes with that dress? Not it.”
- Not me – Used ironically before describing something you definitely did. “Not me crying over this movie.”
- Not you – Used to call someone out, usually playfully. “Not you wearing socks with sandals.”
- NPC energy – Acting basic, predictable, or oblivious, like a non-player character in a video game. Can also refer to “NPC moments.”
O
- Ohio / Only in Ohio – Used to describe something weird, chaotic, or bizarre. Ohio represents strangeness.
- Oop – Expression of surprise, awkwardness, or “oops” when something unexpected happens.
- OOMF (one of my followers) – Referring to a follower without naming them directly.
- Outfit ate – An outfit that looks absolutely perfect. “Your outfit ate and left no crumbs.”
P
- Periodt – Period, but with emphasis. Used to end a statement definitively. “She’s the best singer, periodt.”
- Pick me – Someone who tries too hard to seem different or special, often putting down others.
- Pop off – To do something impressive or to get excited/angry about something.
- Preppy – Clean, polished aesthetic often associated with wealth and traditional style.
- Purr – Expression of approval or satisfaction, like a cat purring when content.
R
- Ratio – When a reply gets more likes than the original post, indicating disagreement or better content.
- Real / Real one – Someone genuine and loyal; shorthand validation. “You’re a real one for helping me move.”
- Rizz – Charisma, especially the ability to attract romantic interest. Short for “charisma.” Dominated 2024 TikTok slang; still relevant in 2025 but sometimes used ironically.
- Rizz god – Someone with exceptional charm and flirting abilities.
- Rizzing up – The act of flirting or trying to charm someone.
S
- Say less – You’ve convinced me, I’m already on board, you don’t need to explain further.
- Selulu – From delulu + self-love; embracing confidence or manifesting energy. “I’m not delulu, I’m selulu.”
- Sending me – Something is so funny it’s metaphorically “sending” you (usually to another dimension).
- Served – Did something exceptionally well, often in a competitive context.
- Serving looks – Looking absolutely amazing, usually referring to an outfit or appearance.
- Sigma – Supposedly a “lone wolf” personality type, often used ironically or in memes.
- Situationship – A romantic relationship without official labels or commitment.
- Skibidi – Nonsense word from viral videos, often used ironically or became its own micro-language in memes.
- Slaps – Something is really good, especially music. “This song absolutely slaps.”
- Slay era – A confident, thriving period of life; an evolution of villain era.
- Snapped – Did something impressively or creatively, showing skill or innovation. “You really snapped with this outfit”.
- Soft launch – Gradually revealing a relationship on social media with subtle hints rather than clear confirmation.
- Sus – Short for “suspicious.” Can be playful teasing between friends (“that’s sus”) or genuine distrust (“he’s acting sus”).
T
- Talking stage – The early phase of dating when you’re getting to know someone but not official.
- That girl – Someone who has their life together and embodies confidence and success.
- The audacity – When someone does something shocking or bold, usually in a negative way.
- The way I… – Used to start a sentence expressing relatable behavior. “The way I immediately checked my phone.”
- Touch grass – Go outside and experience real life instead of being online constantly. Sometimes used ironically when the speaker knows they’re too online themselves.
U
- Understood the assignment – Did exactly what was expected and did it perfectly.
- Unspoken rizz – Having natural charm without trying or saying much.
V
- Valid – Reasonable, acceptable, or making sense. Shows approval of someone’s feelings or choices.
- Very demure, very mindful – Acting modest, thoughtful, and considerate (often used ironically).
- Vibe check – Assessing someone’s mood, energy, or attitude in a situation.
- Villain era – A period when someone prioritizes themselves and stops people-pleasing.
W
- W – A win or something positive. “Getting off work early is such a W.”
- W rizz – Good charisma or successful flirting ability.
Want to understand how these terms are actually used in context? Check out the following articles: