30 Slang Words Gen Zers Are Using in 2025

Gen Z slang in 2025 blends viral TikTok trends, Gen Alpha crossovers, AI influences, and gaming vibes. Terms evolve rapidly, often originating from social media, memes, and online communities. This updated guide decodes 30 key expressions you’ll encounter on platforms like TikTok, X, Discord, Twitch, and emerging AR/VR spaces, based on recent trends from sources like Dictionary.com’s 2025 Word of the Year and viral discussions.

Why Gen Z Slang Matters in 2025

As Gen Z navigates hybrid digital-real worlds, their slang reflects cultural shifts, mental health awareness, and ironic humor. Missing these can make brands, educators, or translators seem out of touch. With Gen Alpha influences like “67” going viral, staying updated helps bridge generational gaps without appropriating.

How To Use This List

• Each entry features a meaning, example, and translation tip to preserve nuance.
• Slang is contextual—avoid in formal or sensitive settings.
• Respect origins (e.g., AAVE, queer, or gaming communities) and check for shifts via real-time searches.

30 Slang Words Gen Zers Are Using in 2025

Always-Online Life

1. Phantom ping

• Meaning: Imagining a notification alert due to digital overload.
• Example: “My phone’s on silent, but I keep getting phantom pings during meetings.”
• Translation tip: Retain the “ghostly alert” vibe to evoke tech-induced stress.

2. Doomscroll

• Meaning: Scrolling endlessly through negative content.
• Example: “Avoid doomscrolling election news—it’s tanking my mood.”
• Translation tip: Use compounds for obsessive browsing; equivalents like “doom-swipe” work.

3. Brainrot

• Meaning: Mental fixation from overconsuming memes or media.
• Example: “That viral sound gave me brainrot—it’s looping in my head.”
• Translation tip: Emphasize overload; avoid medical tones for “mind clutter.”

4. Ratioed

• Meaning: A post getting more replies (often negative) than likes.
• Example: “His hot take got ratioed hard on X.”
• Translation tip: Highlight the like-to-reply imbalance with numerical imagery.

5. Caught in 4K

• Meaning: Exposed with clear, undeniable proof.
• Example: “The screenshot caught her lie in 4K.”
• Translation tip: Stress high-res evidence; hyperbole like “ultra-HD busted” fits.

6. 67 (or 6-7)

• Meaning: A nonsensical inside joke or rating for something mediocre/so-so (Dictionary.com’s 2025 Word of the Year).
• Example: “How’s the new album? Straight 67.”
• Translation tip: Explain as a playful wildcard; pair with hand gestures in descriptions.

7. Aura farming

• Meaning: Building up reputation or “points” through actions.
• Example: “He’s aura farming by volunteering for clout.”
• Translation tip: Tie to gaming “farming” mechanics for social gains.

Social Energy & Identity

8. Rizz

• Meaning: Effortless charisma, especially in flirting.
• Example: “Her rizz landed the collab deal.”
• Translation tip: Use local charm equivalents; keep it smooth and informal.

9. Slay

• Meaning: To excel or look amazing.
• Example: “You slayed that outfit change.”
• Translation tip: Amp up enthusiasm; “crush it” parallels work well.

10. Ate

• Meaning: Delivered an exceptional performance.
• Example: “The dancer ate and left no crumbs.”
• Translation tip: Maintain food metaphor for “devoured the competition.”

11. No cap

• Meaning: No lie; completely truthful.
• Example: “This coffee hits different, no cap.”
• Translation tip: Swap for casual oaths like “for real” to match tone.

12. Mid

• Meaning: Average or underwhelming.
• Example: “The movie was mid—nothing special.”
• Translation tip: Keep it blunt; short words enhance the dismissiveness.

13. Sigma

• Meaning: Independent, self-reliant vibe (often ironic).
• Example: “Skipping the party for solo gaming? Sigma energy.”
• Translation tip: Describe as “lone wolf” if Greek letters don’t translate.

14. NPC mode

• Meaning: Going through motions like a game NPC.
• Example: “Monday mornings have me in full NPC mode.”
• Translation tip: Reference gaming; add notes for non-gamers.

15. Vibe shift

• Meaning: Abrupt change in atmosphere.
• Example: “The vibe shift hit when the music stopped.”
• Translation tip: Use “mood swing” synonyms; import “vibe” if common.

16. Main character energy

• Meaning: Acting like the story’s protagonist.
• Example: “Strutting in like main character energy.”
• Translation tip: Link to media tropes for “spotlight hero” feel.

Relationships & Lifestyle

17. Soft launch

• Meaning: Subtly introducing something new online.
• Example: “She soft launched her new relationship with a hand pic.”
• Translation tip: Borrow from marketing; emphasize tease over full reveal.

18. Hard launch

• Meaning: Fully announcing something publicly.
• Example: “The hard launch of their engagement went viral.”
• Translation tip: Contrast with soft launch for escalation.

19. Ick

• Meaning: Instant turn-off.
• Example: “Chewing with mouth open? Major ick.”
• Translation tip: Keep it snappy; transliterate if needed with disgust note.

20. Touch grass

• Meaning: Get offline and experience real life.
• Example: “After that argument, go touch grass.”
• Translation tip: Use nature-based detox metaphors.

21. Girl math

• Meaning: Humorous justification for decisions.
• Example: “Sale means it’s basically free—girl math.”
• Translation tip: Preserve playfulness; not gender-specific in use.

22. Girl dinner

• Meaning: Improvised, snack-based meal.
• Example: “Cheese and crackers tonight—girl dinner.”
• Translation tip: Frame as casual assembly; add ironic wink.

23. Side quest

• Meaning: Optional detour from main goals.
• Example: “Coffee run became a side quest.”
• Translation tip: Gaming reference; “bonus mission” equivalent.

24. Shrekking

• Meaning: Dating someone less attractive for perceived advantages.
• Example: “He’s shrekking to avoid drama.”
• Translation tip: Reference Shrek; explain power dynamic carefully.

25. Delulu

• Meaning: Delusionally optimistic.
• Example: “Thinking they’ll text back? Delulu.”
• Translation tip: Clip for cuteness; clarify as fun denial.

Hustle, Humor, and Flexes

26. Locking in

• Meaning: Focusing intensely on a task.
• Example: “Exams coming—time to lock in.”
• Translation tip: Convey determination; gaming “lock-on” imagery.

27. Crashing out

• Meaning: Losing composure dramatically.
• Example: “Don’t crash out over a bad review.”
• Translation tip: Emphasize meltdown; opposites with “locking in.”

28. Gyatt

• Meaning: Exclamation for impressive physique.
• Example: “That workout paid off—gyatt!”
• Translation tip: Note potential objectification; use contextually.

29. Huzz

• Meaning: Haircut (short for “hair does”).
• Example: “Fresh huzz looking fire.”
• Translation tip: Keep abbreviated; link to grooming trends.

30. Do it for the plot

• Meaning: Taking risks for a good story.
• Example: “Skydiving? Do it for the plot.”
• Translation tip: Tie to narrative; “for the experience” alternative.

Keep Listening

Slang shifts with virality—track via TikTok trends, X searches, and sources like Dictionary.com. Focus on empathy and authenticity when adapting; it’s about cultural fluency, not imitation.