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

Lurking in the graduates’ response was the paradox that Gen Z hasn’t had it with AI. —Ann Kirschner, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026

The remarks ignited a viral protest, and Gen Z flipped the insult into a symbol of pride. —Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 22 May 2026

The shift is being driven in part by Gen Z’s changing relationship with drinking. —Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026

Bieber’s low-rise silhouette feels cool and very Gen Z, especially when paired with a top that has an interesting texture (like her see-through vintage Alberta Ferretti blouse). —Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 21 May 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