Gen Z words you need to know

HB Team

Generation Z or Gen Z is constantly reshaping internet’s language by introducing new slangs almost every day. Year 2025 was no exception and 2026 will also not be. 

From viral reels to everyday conversations, Gen Z slang dominated social media across the globe, making communication more fun, expressive and sometimes confusing. If you’re a millennial or a parent trying to keep up, this guide will help you stay up-to-date. 

Here are 10 Gen Z terms that ruled 2025

Rizz: It comes from Charisma. This term simply means someone’s ability to attract or charm others, particularly in flirting. Example: Her smile is pure rizz.

Delulu: It is basically a playful abbreviation of “delusional”. This one is used to describe unrealistic thoughts or overconfidence in a humorous way. It lets people laugh at unrealistic hopes while still manifesting them. Example: She lives in a delulu land of her own.

Pookie: It is an affectionate or playful nickname for a close friend, romantic interest or anyone you find cute/innocent. This went viral across India via social media. Example: His little girl is such a pookie.

Sus: Sus is basically a shortened form of “suspicious” or “suspect”. It is used to describe something or someone untrustworthy. Gen Z used this term as a sarcasm to taunt many people whom they don’t like. Example: He’s acting kinda sus.

Brain Rot: One of the most used words, it describes the mental exhaustion or degradation caused by consuming excessive amounts of low-quality internet content. This term is also used in a fun manner sometimes where no one applies the brain but just makes content for the fun part of it. Example: Bollywood movie Happy New Year is a complete brain rot.

Rage bait: A Gen Z term so accurate that Oxford University Press announced it as 2025 Word of the Year. It is specifically designed to spark anger or outrage to drive clicks and increase engagement. Example: His post is a complete rage bait to boost engagement.

Cooked: It means someone is extremely exhausted, mentally drained, doomed, or in serious trouble. Gen Z use it more often in intense gaming, tough workouts or making a big mistake kind of situation.

Slop: Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year; Slop, in Gen Z slang means low-quality, often AI-generated digital content (articles, videos, art) that’s mass-produced for click or profit. It’s the opposite of quality, representing soulless, repetitive, or derivative material flooding feeds, with “slopper” for those creating or consuming it. Example: My feed is full of AI slop and I am tired of it.

No Cap: It means “No Lie” showing genuineness or truthfulness and is used to emphasise the sincerity or seriousness of a statement. Example: The less you care, the happier you will be.

Aura Farming: Have you seen Hardik Pandya’s Clutch batting against opposition teams especially in T20s? That is basically Aura Farming. So, Aura Farming means deliberately doing things to build your “aura”. Aura as in your personal vibe, charisma, or coolness, often through repetitive actions like striking poses or performing stylish moves.From rizz to rage bait to Bussin’, Gen Z’s vocabulary in 2025 proved one thing—language is evolving faster than ever, and social media is its playground. These terms aren’t just trendy words; they reflect Gen Z’s humour, creativity and way of viewing the world.