Gen Z

noun

ˈjen-ˈzē 

: generation z

Gen Z is as nuanced and complex as every generation before them … In fact, they are considered to be the most diverse and multicultural generation ever.

—Andrew Kelly and Guy Cierzan

Gen Z is incredibly media savvy, so the challenge for marketers is trying to connect with an audience that already knows every marketing trick in the book.

—Chirag Kulkarni

—often used before another noun

Gen Z activists are using social media to start movements and gather the momentum they need to make positive changes in the world.

—Savanna Smith

—often hyphenated in such use

Gen-Z students/consumers

Gen Zer

ˈjen-ˈzē-ər 

noun

or Gen-Zer

plural Gen Zers or Gen-Zers

… even the oldest Gen Zer was just a tween when the iPhone was released in 2007.

—Ryan Kelly

Though many tend to lump them together, millennials and Gen Zers are two very different cohorts.

—Chad Recchia

Examples of Gen Z in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Inspired by The Simple Life and reimagined for Gen Z, Hardly Workin’ throws the glamorous trio into demanding, unpredictable situations, letting their signature chaos and charm unfold in real time. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026

The rise of ghost-posting reflects Gen Z’s desire to take the pressure off in another area of their lives. — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2026

But the attitudinal shift on Israel, especially on the left, began long before Gen Z became a major political force. — Caitlin Dewey, Vox, 16 Sep. 2026

Gen Z is expected to account for a major portion of new parents over the next few years, according to Carter’s, making the population even more crucial to the brand’s business. — Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1996, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Gen Z

• bens
• cleanse
• dens
• gens
• glens
• hens
• jens
• pens
• tens
• wrens
• zens
• cheyennes