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

Katie Wiseman Rent Cafe put together a new list of the best cities for Gen Z graduates in the United States. —Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 29 Aug. 2025

Gutterman believes that may be reflective of where Gen Z is purchasing homes, which could tend to be in more wildfire zones. —Jennifer Castenson, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025

Gen Z doesn't necessarily consider a vast amount of money in the bank the true sign of prosperity. —Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 27 Aug. 2025

Adults Gen Z gets its own version of Friends with this FX comedy series created by Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw. —James Mercadante, People.com, 27 Aug. 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