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

Trigger warning to Gen Y: Prepare to feel a little, um, old. —Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2024

After all, Early’s stand-up sends up the gulf between confidence and competence that Gen Y can exhibit. —Brent Lang, Variety, 18 Jan. 2024

Along the blurry edge at the cusp of the two generations, between Gen Y and Z, is where zillennials live. —Terry Ward, CNN, 10 May 2023

Yet as the largest portion of the US workforce, Gen Y managed historically high levels of change and were the backbone of navigating one of the most stressful periods in the history of organizational life during the Global Pandemic. —Beau River, Forbes, 20 Apr. 2023

Now there are few questions about Gen Y’s resolve, and Gen Z is under the scrutiny of elder generations’ expectations and assumptions about young adult life. —Beau River, Forbes, 20 Apr. 2023

And with the workforce makeup increasingly Gen Y and Z, PB3.0 is aligned with the workforce’s desire to be recognized for their unique contributions to the organization. —William Arruda, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2023

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