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

Why dupe culture hits different for Gen Z Pulling off a convincing dupe is a way to show off shopping intel and personal taste without the designer price tag attached. — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2026

The kids are Gen Z, but nobody has mentioned their pronouns or, really, any of the things lazy sitcom writers tend to ascribe to young people. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026

Variety reported on a Fandango study earlier this year that declared Gen Z the most active moviegoing demographic. — Zack Sharf, Variety, 22 Oct. 2026

YPulse’s 2026 research on Gen Z’s analog interests explores younger consumers’ interest in vintage technology, physical media and activities that offer opportunities to spend less time on screens. — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 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