Gen Z Slang List
Explore popular Gen Z slang terms with definitions, examples, and cultural insights. Perfect for marketers, educators, and curious parents.
NPC
Borrowed from “Non-Player Character” in video games, it’s used to describe someone who seems to lack independent thought or unique personality.
Contextual Example:
“He just repeated the same phrase—total NPC vibes.”
Synonyms / Related Terms:
- Background character
- Bot
Alternate Spellings / Variations:
- NPC behavior
- NPC energy
History & Evolution:
In gaming, NPCs are AI-driven characters with scripted lines. Internet culture turned “NPC” into an insult meaning someone who follows the crowd without critical thinking.
Cultural Relevance:
Reflects Gen Z’s tendency to reduce overly conformist or unemotional individuals to “NPC status.” Sparked controversies about dehumanizing language.
Practical Usage:
- Appropriateness & Tone: Typically mocking or sarcastic.
- Platform Popularity: TikTok, gaming forums, Twitter roasts.
- Trend Status: Trendy but also criticized for oversimplifying people.
Dos and Don’ts:
- Do understand it’s a joke about someone being “programmed.”
- Don’t use it to bully or degrade someone’s identity.
Common Misconceptions:
- Some think it means literal in-game NPC. Online slang refers to real humans acting repetitively or “scripted.”
Example in Pop Culture or Media:
- Meme videos calling certain public reactions “NPC interactions.”