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

Corporate growth strategy is targeting LGBTQ people as our community continues to grow, especially in the Gen Z segment. —Sara Braun, Fortune, 24 June 2025

Notably, the Gen Z population, aged between 18 and 29 years, emerges as F1's biggest fan base. —Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025

The industry is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions, consumes over 141 billion cubic meters of water annually, and contributes 35% of ocean microplastics—issues Gen Z and Millennials seem to overlook. —Garth Friesen, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025

As long, of course, as this is what Gen Z actually wants. —Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 23 June 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