Gen Z Slang List
Explore popular Gen Z slang terms with definitions, examples, and cultural insights. Perfect for marketers, educators, and curious parents.
Adulting
Refers to performing adult responsibilities or tasks (e.g., paying bills, doing taxes), often with a humorous or exasperated tone.
Contextual Example:
“I hate adulting. Why do I have to call the dentist myself?”
Synonyms / Related Terms:
- Being a grown-up
- Taking care of business
History & Evolution:
Became popular on social media in the mid-2010s as millennials and Gen Zers used it to describe mundane tasks, often sarcastically.
Cultural Relevance:
Shows a generational shift in viewing standard adult responsibilities as noteworthy or challenging—often due to economic pressures or changing social norms.
Practical Usage:
- Appropriateness & Tone: Informal, self-deprecating or humorous.
- Platform Popularity: Instagram captions, Twitter rants about daily chores.
- Trend Status: Still widely recognized, though some see it as overused.
Dos and Don’ts:
- Do use it to commiserate about everyday tasks.
- Don’t use it to patronize younger folks; it can come off condescending.
Common Misconceptions:
- Some think it’s only a millennial term. Gen Z also embraces it for life milestones.
Example in Pop Culture or Media:
- Often featured in articles or memes about young adults dealing with bills and errands.
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Extra
Describes someone or something that’s over-the-top, dramatic, or unnecessarily excessive.
Low-key
Quietly, secretly, or without seeking attention; an understated feeling or admission.
High-key
Openly, obviously, or loudly; the opposite of “low-key.”