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

But what Vaseline wanted was cultural relevance and desirability, particularly among Gen Z, to drive growth and broaden its appeal. — Rachael Akhidenor, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2026

The viral coffee debate joins a growing list of workplace faux pas involving Gen Z, including bringing parents to sit in on interviews, as Fox News Digital previously reported. — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026

This partially reflects tight college schedules, but is also part of Gen Z’s ability to adjust under financial stress. — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026

Millennials and Gen Z started hunting for high-protein whole foods, and cottage cheese checked every box. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 22 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