Gen Y

1 of 2

noun

ˈjen-ˈwī 

: generation y

These kids have expensive tastes. Gen Y came of age in an era of unprecedented affluence, and its members were reared by indulgent boomer parents.

—Keith Haughton

—often used before another noun

About 3.5 million Gen Y drivers get their license each year.

—Daren Fonda

—often hyphenated in such use

… blatant product placement turns off Gen-Y viewers who are offended by brand mentions.

—Joanne Ostrow

Gen Yer

ˈjen-ˈwī-ər 

noun

or Gen-Yer

plural Gen Yers or Gen-Yers

Gen Yers have plenty to be exercised about. They're inheriting an economy in which many of the things their parents took for granted are evaporating …

—Michelle Conlin

The debts of today's Gen Yers are bigger ($26,000 in average student loans, up from $10,000 in 1985).

—Ted Rall

-geny

2 of 2

noun combining form

: generation : production

phylogeny

Examples of Gen Y in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

With Gen Y and Gen Z accounting for more than 60% of travelers, comparing prices is very much the norm because a good price remains a top priority for them, and other travelers at airports according to Avolta’s own data. —Kevin Rozario, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

Now, however, the baby boomers sit atop the market, dethroning Gen Y (also called millennials). —Rosalind Bowling, Nashville Tennessean, 11 Apr. 2025

Attempting to expand beyond Europe, Revolut is already courting Gen Z and Gen Y users in the United States with its offering in payments, currency exchange, zero-fee investing, and savings. —Javier Paz, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025

Ethics and values Transparency around sustainability, diversity, and social responsibility resonates strongly with today’s conscious consumers, especially Gen Y and Gen Z, who comprise more than 40% of the U.S. population. —Allbusiness, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025

The Tour is the latest league to lean on creators to try and build a relationship with Gen Z and Gen Y consumers that may not be watching events on traditional linear TV. —Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Jan. 2025

This movement reflects a broader shift, led by Gen Y and Gen Z, toward valuing balanced lifestyles, the right to disconnect and comprehensive support. —George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024

According to the Pew Research Center, there are five generations in the global workforce: Silent Generation (1922-1945); Baby Boomers (1946-1964); Gen X (1965-1980); Gen Y/Millennials (1981-1996); and Gen Z (1997-2012). —Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

That experience will continue to evolve as the younger, more diverse consumer spending habits of Gen Z and Gen Y define the next era of luxury shopping. —Kristin Mueller, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun combining form

Greek -geneia act of being born, from -genēs born — more at -gen

First Known Use

Noun

1994, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Gen Y

• apply
• awry
• belie
• bely
• bigeye
• bonsai
• buckeye
• comply
• coxae
• decry
• defy
• deny