Generation X

noun

: the generation of people born in the 1960s and 1970s

If you're a member of Generation X, chances are you may be feeling that "Reality Bites" when it comes to your retirement planning.

—Lorie Konish

The younger portion of the network's 12-to-34-year-old target audience … exhibited different tastes and sensibilities from the post-baby boom Generation X.

—Meg James

compare generation y, generation z

Generation Xer

-ˈek-sər 

noun

Examples of Generation X in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Generation X, for its part, now ranges in age from 45 to 61. — Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 13 June 2026

Generation X comes in at 42%, while baby boomers trail at 29%. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026

In fact, at age 45, Generation X households below the 60th percentile often have savings levels no higher than their Boomer counterparts at the same age. — Dan Doonan, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025

Boxed cereal, once the king of American breakfast tables and a defining fixture of Generation X childhoods, is rapidly losing appeal, especially among Gen Z, who seem to be trading their cereal spoons for smoothies, eggs, and mental clarity. — Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Aug. 2025

Burke joined with Matlock again in 2011, for the International Swingers with one-time Generation X guitarist James Stevenson of Generation X and singer Gary Twinn of Supernaut. — A.d. Amorosi, Variety, 7 Apr. 2025

About two-thirds of Generation Z and millennials use mobile banking apps most often, while 55% of Generation X customers do, the association said in a news release. — David Staats, Idaho Statesman, 12 Mar. 2025

The survey also showed that younger generations are more likely to be optimistic, with 59 percent of Generation Z and millennial respondents reporting optimism, compared to 60 percent of Generation X members and 48 percent of Baby Boomers. — Joanne Haner, The Hill, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1987, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Generation X

• videotex
• annex
• annexe
• apex
• aztecs
• carex
• codecs
• codex
• convex
• cusecs
• duplex
• execs