Master Gen Z Slang: 15 Words That Will Instantly Upgrade Your Vocabulary
- Bwanko NF
- Mar 24
- 4 min read
If you've ever been scrolling through social media and felt like you're reading a different language, you’re not alone! Gen Z has developed a unique slang that keeps conversations fresh, fun, and expressive. Whether you’re trying to keep up or just curious, here’s a list of 15 popular Gen Z slang terms and what they mean.
Ever sent a message and never got a reply? That’s being ghosted. It means someone is ignoring or abandoning you, usually in dating or friendships.
🔹Example 1: "We were texting every day, and then she just ghosted me!"
🔹 Example 2: "I thought we were friends, but he ghosted me after I asked for help."
But sometimes, instead of disappearing completely, people keep you around without any real commitment. That’s called...
2. Benched
If someone is keeping you on hold without completely cutting you off, you’ve been benched. It’s like being a backup option in dating or friendships.
🔹 Example 1: "She keeps texting me but never wants to meet up—I'm definitely being benched."
🔹 Example 2: "He won’t commit, but he won’t let me go either. I’m just sitting on his bench."
Speaking of keeping things low-key, let’s talk about…
3. Lowkey/Highkey
Lowkey means secretly or subtly. ("I lowkey love pineapple on pizza.")
Highkey is the opposite—it means openly or obviously. ("I highkey need a vacation.")
🔹 Example 1: "I lowkey miss my ex, but I’d never admit it."
🔹 Example 2: "She highkey slayed that performance!"
Now, what happens when someone highkey wants to get your attention online? They might...
4. Slide Into
If someone slides into your DMs, it means they’ve sent you a private message, usually on Instagram or Twitter, with a flirtatious or friendly intent.
🔹 Example 1: "He slid into my DMs last night with a cheesy pickup line."
🔹 Example 2: "I finally worked up the courage to slide into her DMs!"
But messaging isn’t enough—you need to be bold. That’s when you...
5. Shoot Your Shot
This means taking a bold chance, often in dating. If you have a crush and decide to confess your feelings, you’re shooting your shot!
🔹 Example 1: "I know he’s way out of my league, but I’m gonna shoot my shot!"
🔹 Example 2: "She shot her shot and asked him out—respect!"
And when you succeed, people might say you absolutely...
6. Slay
To slay means to dominate or excel at something, often used for fashion, makeup, or performances.
🔹 Example 1: "She slayed her speech—so confident and powerful!"
🔹 Example 2: "You slayed that outfit today!"
But not everyone loves to see others slay. Some people get a little...
7. Salty
Feeling bitter or resentful? That’s being salty. It’s often used when someone is upset over something small.
🔹 Example 1: "He’s salty because I beat him at chess."
🔹 Example 2: "Why are you so salty just because she got a promotion?"
And when someone is brutally honest about it, they might be called...
8. Savage
A savage person is brutally honest and fearless, often in a funny or shocking way.
🔹 Example 1: "She told him his haircut was ugly—so savage!"
🔹 Example 2: "That roast was savage! No mercy at all."
And when someone shares all the drama behind these moments, they’re spilling the...
9. Tea
Got some juicy gossip? That’s tea. If someone spills the tea, they’re sharing drama or exciting news.
🔹 Example 1: "I need some tea—what happened at the party?"
🔹 Example 2: "She always has the latest tea on celebrity drama."
But sometimes, people don’t just gossip—they become too obsessed with someone. That’s when they might be called a...
10. Simp
A simp is someone who shows excessive admiration for someone, often in a way that seems desperate.
🔹 Example 1: "He buys her gifts every day—he’s such a simp!"
🔹 Example 2: "Stop simping over your crush and focus on yourself."
And when people get into relationships, they might introduce their partner through a...
11. Soft Launch
A soft launch is when you subtly introduce your partner on social media without fully revealing them.
🔹 Example 1: "She posted a dinner photo with a guy’s hand in the frame—soft launch alert!"
🔹 Example 2: "I’m not posting his face yet, just a soft launch."
But when they’re ready to go all in, they go for a...
12. Hard Launch
A hard launch is the full reveal of a relationship—posting a picture together with a caption like “My love ❤️.”
🔹 Example 1: "She went from soft launch to hard launch in one week!"
🔹 Example 2: "Hard launch season—everyone is posting their partners!"
And when people tell the truth about their relationships, they say...
13. No Cap
No cap means "no lie" or "for real."
🔹 Example 1: "That concert was amazing, no cap!"
🔹 Example 2: "I actually like pineapple on pizza, no cap."
But what happens when someone is lying? That’s called...
14. Cap
The opposite of no cap, cap means to lie or exaggerate.
🔹 Example 1: "He said he met Beyoncé, but that’s cap."
🔹 Example 2: "Stop capping—we all know you didn’t win the lottery!"
And whether people are capping or not, the energy of a situation is all about the...
15. Vibes
Vibes refer to the energy or atmosphere of a situation.
🔹 Example 1: "This party has good vibes!"
🔹 Example 2: "I don’t like the vibes in this place—let’s go somewhere else."
Final Thoughts
Gen Z slang is constantly evolving, but understanding these terms will help you keep up with the latest trends. Whether you're using them in conversation or just want to decode social media, these words will make you sound like a pro!
📢 Want to improve your English fluency and learn even more useful expressions?
Book a FREE lesson at English With Bwan today! 🚀
Comments