Basic Gen Z Slang Glossary: Decipher the Generation’s Lingo
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Bet
This is what you say when you want to confirm or agree to something. It shows that you have a positive attitude toward something happening in the future.
EXAMPLE: Person 1: “I’m going to the movies tonight. You coming with?”
Person 2: “Bet.”
Bread
“Bread” is a synonym for money. It commonly refers to earning large amounts of money, usually by way of getting a new job or working overtime.
EXAMPLE: “I got a new job today. I’m ready to make that bread.”
Bussin
You call something “bussin'' when it’s really or surprisingly good. You can use this AAVE-originated term to refer to almost anything, including good food, good music or nice clothes. Or your favorite Scrabble cheat tool, for that matter. Just sayin'.
EXAMPLE: “Dude, that new club is bussin.”
Cap/No Cap
When used in text, “cap” is commonly accompanied by a hat emoji. Use this to say that something is a lie or not completely truthful. “No cap,” inversely, means that something is the absolute truth. Like how WordFinder has the best Words With Friends cheat around. No cap.
EXAMPLE: Person 1: “I scored a 100 on the exam.”
Person 2: “That’s cap.”
Deadass
Use this New York-inspired slang when you or someone else is being dead serious about something, but you want to add more emphasis. People sometimes use it when they are being dramatic, so it can be difficult to determine someone’s sincerity.
EXAMPLE: “I can’t remember another time I was this angry. Deadass.”
Facts
“Facts” is a reply for when you agree with something and believe it to be true. It’s a way to show your support for an idea. One comparison would be saying “amen.”
EXAMPLE: “Facts, they had no chance of winning that game.”
Finna
This slang term from the American South replaces “about to” or “fixing to” in a sentence. Use it when you are going to perform an action soon. It usually carries the context of being eager to perform the action.
EXAMPLE: “I’m still so hungry. I’m finna buy another burger.”
Ghost
The surge in online dating has made this Gen Z slang term popular. Ghosting is when you suddenly ignore someone’s text, direct messages and phone calls. It is the complete and total lack of communication without any warning.
EXAMPLE: “I was texting a new girl last week, but then she ghosted me after two days.”
Gucci
This term is inspired by the Gucci brand, which is known for creating expensive luxury fashion products. As Gen Z slang, it is a simple replacement for “cool” or “good.” When written, “gucci” can be capitalized or all lowercase.
EXAMPLE: Person 1: “I got a new car.”
Person 2: “Oh, that’s gucci.”
Hit Different
Something “hits different” when it should be the same as something else (or most other things), but it surprises you and is better.
EXAMPLE: “French fries that have been in the fryer an extra minute just hit different.”
Lit
Lit has many uses. It originally was used to describe when someone had reached a desired level of intoxication. Now, “lit” is a modifier that explains how something is awesome, fun or cool.
EXAMPLE: “Man, this concert is lit!”
Slaps
Use “slaps” when you think a song is especially good. Combined with words like “kinda,” it can convey that you were surprised by how good the song was. This term originates from the idea of applauding music, which is the act of slapping your hands together.
EXAMPLE: “I didn’t expect it, but this new album kinda slaps.”
Sending/Sent
This is what happens when something is funny enough to catch you off guard and make you unable to control your laughter.
EXAMPLE: “That video of the screaming goats sent me.”
Simp
A simp is someone who has a crush on someone else and is desperate for their romantic attention. This is almost always a derogatory term, as a simp is seen as having no self-respect.
EXAMPLE: “Dude, she doesn’t even know you exist. Stop being such a simp.”
Snacc/Snack
People use this to note that someone is physically attractive. This is often used for when someone has a makeover or wears a stylish outfit to accentuate their body.
EXAMPLE: “Girl, you’re looking like a snacc in that dress.”
Stan
“Stan” can be used as a noun or a verb. It conveys that someone is an obsessed fan who stubbornly supports an idea or person. This term originated from an Eminem song of the same name.
EXAMPLE: “She’s too obsessed with her boyfriend. She’s become a total stan for him.”
Tea
This is how you describe the latest gossip. It is usually phrased as “what’s the tea?” or “spill the tea” when someone is trying to get someone else to divulge information. It became a common slang term after the popular “Kermit sipping tea” meme made its way around the internet.
EXAMPLE: Person 1: “Did you hear what happened between Emily and her boyfriend?”
Person 2: “No, I haven’t. Come on, spill the tea.”
Thicc
“Thicc” is a common description for a curvaceous person. Typically, this is used to praise someone’s physical appearance.
EXAMPLE: “She’s looking thicc in those new jeans.”
Thirsty
Someone who is eager for attention is considered to be “thirsty.” The thirsty person in question desires reciprocated feelings from someone they find physically attractive.
EXAMPLE: “Wait, how many times have you DM’d her? Wow, you are so thirsty.”
Yeet
A “yeet” is an action and an exclamation. It is the throwing of something, usually in a dramatic arching motion. “Yeeting” is often a comical action, whether intentional or not. When it is intentional, the person throwing something might actually shout “yeet!” as they throw.
EXAMPLE: “She yeeted her pop can across the yard when she saw that a bee landed on it.”
Making a Game of Slang
Slang, though confusing at first, does occasionally provide us with valuable new terms anyone can use. We might not know for a while which Gen Z slang words will stick around, but history tells us to expect at least a few. Unexpected words end up in the dictionary—and word games—all the time. You can find plenty of such slang words in Words With Friends. Take a moment to examine those game-legal words. They paved the way for future terms, which means Gen Z slang words won’t be too far behind. We bet you will find them in our word finder tool soon.
Zac Pricener has been a content creator for the past eight years. He’s a bit of an all-around nerd, and he has a bad habit of working movie and TV show references into conversations whenever possible.
