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

Additionally, 26 percent feel less motivated, especially baby boomers (31 percent), compared to Gen Z (20 percent). —Lucy Notarantonio, Newsweek, 2 Nov. 2024

That margin drops to 54% to 46% among Gen Z voters (ages 18-27) — the same as with Republican voters despite most of Gen Z's left-wing alignment. —Margaret Talev, Axios, 2 Nov. 2024

Not only are their relationships with their banks vastly different, but Gen Z and Millennials' money habits are not the same as previous generations. —Raviteja Dodda, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

Beauty is a favorite brand among Gen Z, and is gaining popularity with millennials and Gen X. —Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1996, in the meaning defined above