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

And while all of us were affected by the pandemic, Gen Z experienced the most profound disruption. —Steven P. Dinkin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Nov. 2025

Millennials and Gen Z together account for the remaining 31%. —Mike Winters, CNBC, 30 Nov. 2025

Billionaire Brendan Foody, 22, is defying the stereotype that Gen Z doesn’t like hard work. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 29 Nov. 2025

In this short download of the findings, Lucy unpacked how in the infinite loop of inspiration, exploration, community and loyalty, and in a world of hyper-convenient social commerce, Gen Z now finds shopping mindless. —Hyku Desesto, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2025

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