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

That’s evident in dating apps becoming a downer for Gen Z, who would rather meet people in real life, and studies showing the generation actually does like to work in person after all. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2026

The brand pointed to appearances on Gen Z-leaning figures such as Megan Thee Stallion, Addison Rae, Halsey, Jordyn Woods, Emma Chamberlain and Alexa Demie. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 6 Mar. 2026

Gen Z is the least likely generation to approve (24%). —Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 6 Mar. 2026

Rounding out the top three hottest ZIP codes for Gen Z is 10016 in Manhattan. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 4 Mar. 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