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

There is a clear gender divide in American politics, so Gen Z should not be viewed as some monolithic voting bloc. —John Rau, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025

Popular with Millennials and Gen Z, build-to-rent homes (BTR) are designed to offer the perks of homeownership without steep down payments, maintenance costs, real estate and school taxes, or homeowners’ association fees. —Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 24 Feb. 2025

Conducted by Ipsos, the research revealed the way clear vision and eye health affect Gen Z’s self-image and their perception of others. —Alexandra Pastore, WWD, 24 Feb. 2025

Tubi’s audience, 77% of which doesn’t have cable TV, skews toward millennials, Gen Z and females, with more than 34% between the ages 18 and 34. —Sydney Cella, CNBC, 24 Feb. 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