Hello and welcome back to popsicles.me! If you’re new here, welcome! Today, we’re diving into the colorful and constantly evolving world of Gen Z slang.
So, what exactly is Gen Z? It’s the generation born roughly from the late 1990s to around 2010, the first generation to grow up completely surrounded by smartphones, social media, and instant digital communication. Because of this, Gen Z has developed a unique and playful language—perfect for text messages, TikTok captions, memes, and even everyday conversation.
We’ve put together a list of 10 of the most common Gen Z slang words and phrases, complete with meanings, examples, and tips on how to use them naturally. Let’s jump in!
1. Stan
Part of Speech: Verb & Noun
Origin: A mix of “stalker” + “fan”
Meaning: To be an extremely devoted fan of someone or something. You can stan a celebrity, a show, or even a type of food.
- Verb Example: “We stan Shakira!” → This means “We are huge fans of Shakira and support her completely.”
- Noun Example: “That show has so many stans.” → Refers to the fans themselves.
Tip: Stan is often used in social media posts or comments when showing strong support for a celebrity, artist, or trend.
2. W / L
Part of Speech: Abbreviations / Slang
Meaning: Short for Win (W) and Lose (L). These are quick ways to celebrate someone’s success or call out a failure.
- W Example: Commenting “W teacher” → “Congrats, teacher, you’re winning!”
- L Example: “L at life” → Suggests someone is failing or not doing well at something.
Tip: Use W/L in online discussions or gaming chats. It’s very casual and perfect for quick reactions.
3. Ghost
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To suddenly disappear from someone’s life by stopping messages or calls—commonly used in dating.
- Example: “I went on two dates with him, but now he’s ghosting me.”
- Tip: Ghosting doesn’t just happen romantically; it can also refer to ignoring friends or colleagues online.
4. Salty
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: To feel bitter, upset, jealous, or resentful, usually over something small or trivial.
- Example: “She gets so salty when she loses at board games.”
- Tip: You can also use salty humorously when someone is overreacting online or in memes.
5. Cap
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: To lie or exaggerate.
- Example: “Nah, that’s cap. There’s no way she said that!”
- Bonus: On social media, people sometimes pair this with the 💙 blue cap emoji to signal “I don’t believe you.”
Tip: Perfect for playful teasing among friends or reacting to unbelievable claims online.
6. Spill the Tea / T
Part of Speech: Phrase
Meaning: To share gossip or juicy news. “Tea” is a metaphor for secrets or hot info.
- Example: “So, what did she say? Spill the tea!”
- Tip: Online, you might see “T” or a cup of tea emoji ☕ used as shorthand.
7. If You Know, You Know (IYKYK)
Part of Speech: Phrase / Abbreviation
Meaning: Used to reference inside jokes or shared experiences that only certain people understand.
- Example: “Last night’s party was wild, IYKYK.” → Only those who were there or in the know will fully understand.
- Tip: Great for social media captions, making followers feel included or “in the loop.”
8. Send Me
Part of Speech: Phrase
Meaning: Something is so funny it “kills” you with laughter.
- Example: “The way he said that sent me.”
- Bonus: Often accompanied by the 💀 skull emoji, meaning “I literally died laughing.”
Tip: Perfect for reacting to memes, videos, or jokes online.
9. Clap Back
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To respond sharply to criticism or negativity—essentially, a comeback.
- Example: “She made a video criticizing her teaching, so she clapped back with her own video.”
- Tip: Clap back is a powerful, assertive slang, often seen in debates or on Twitter/X.
10. Slap
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Something is extremely good, impressive, or enjoyable.
- Example: “That new song slaps!” / “This pizza slaps!”
- Bonus Phrase: “Go hard” is another way to say something is amazing, especially music.
Tip: You can use this for food, music, movies, or anything that’s high-quality or fun.
Final Thoughts
Gen Z slang is fun, fast-moving, and full of personality. Some of these words may feel confusing at first, but once you start seeing them in memes, TikToks, or social media comments, you’ll pick them up quickly.
Which of these words was new to you? Do you already have a favorite? Let us know in the comments!
Love keeping up with trends and language? Stay tuned to popsicles.me for more fun guides, tips, and deep dives into modern slang and digital culture!