In 2025, Gen Z slang is dominating social media, pop culture, and everyday conversation. Trending Gen Z slang words are everywhere, from TikTok videos to viral memes. These words are more than just fun phrases—they’re a reflection of Gen Z’s digital-first culture, humor, identity, and attitude.
Whether you’re a brand looking to connect with young audiences or just want to understand what Gen Z is really saying, this list of words popular among Gen Z is your ultimate guide.
✅ 25 Most Popular Gen Z Slang Words in 2025 (And What They Mean)
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Rizz | Charisma, especially while flirting. (“He’s got mad rizz.”) |
| Delulu | Short for “delusional”—used humorously about wild hopes. (“So delulu!”) |
| No Cap | Means “no lie” or “I’m serious.” (“That show was lit, no cap.”) |
| Slay | To look amazing or perform extremely well. (“She slayed her speech.”) |
| Bet | Agreement or confirmation. (“You coming?” — “Bet.”) |
| Iykyk | “If you know, you know.” Used for inside jokes or niche references. |
| Mid | Average or underwhelming. (“The food was mid.”) Trendy Gen Z slang shows how quickly new words catch on. |
| Touch Grass | Telling someone to log off and get back to reality. |
| Main Character | Someone who behaves like the star of their own movie. |
| Corecore | A niche aesthetic video trend on TikTok, usually emotional or abstract. |
| Ship | To support a romantic pairing. (“I totally ship them.”) |
| NPC | Someone perceived as basic or lacking originality. |
| It’s Giving | Describes a vibe or aesthetic. (“It’s giving rich auntie vibes.”) |
| Simp | Someone who tries too hard to impress someone they like. |
| Ghosted | When someone cuts off communication suddenly. |
| Ratio | When a reply gets more likes than the original post. (“You got ratio’d.”) |
| Snatched | Looking extremely good, often about fashion or makeup. |
| Cheugy | Trying too hard or outdated, especially millennial trends. |
| Vibe Check | Assessing someone’s mood or energy. |
| Bussin | Tastes really good. (“This burger is bussin.”) |
| Drip | Fashionable clothing or style. (“His outfit has major drip.”) |
| Periodt | Emphasis on the end of a statement. (“I said what I said, periodt.”) |
| Slaps | Something that’s amazing or catchy. (“This track slaps!”) |
| Skrrt | Represents a fast exit or turn. (“I had to skrrt outta there.”) |
| Stan | To be an obsessed fan of someone or something. |
🔎 Why Gen Z Slang Matters in 2025
Gen Z uses language to build identity, humor, and connection online. These trending Gen Z slang words are born from TikTok, Twitter (X), memes, and internet culture. Brands, creators, and marketers are increasingly using Gen Z lingo to stay relatable and go viral.
If you’re looking to connect with Gen Z, improve your social media engagement, or keep your content trendy in 2025, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the latest Gen Z slang.
Final Thoughts
Slang is the language of culture, and Gen Z is redefining it daily. From “rizz” to “bussin,” knowing these popular Gen Z slang terms will help you stay in tune with the latest trends and online conversations.
