The Gen-Z or Generation Z are the people who were born between 1997-2014. They grew up with smartphones, social media, and memes around them. So, it wouldn’t be surprising if we mention that Gen-Z have played a key role in redefining the Internet lingo. Scroll through Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and even X and you will notice how Internet has it’s own language, thanks to Gen-Z.
Knowing these words is becoming essential to keeping up with online culture in 2025. So here are top Gen-Z that were all over the Internet and left millennials wondering.
Oxford Word of the Year: Rage bait
Oxford’s Word of the Year for 2025 was “rage bait,” and it felt painfully accurate.
The dictionary defines rage bait as online content deliberately designed to provoke anger or outrage, usually to boost clicks, comments and engagement.
- Aura Farming
The meaning of Aura Farming is someone who appears cool, mysterious just to gather attention online. It combines the slang “aura,” a term for people with a particularly potent charisma or presence, and “farming,” a gaming term essentially meaning to repeatedly perform the same thing to gain power.
- Delulu
If you do not live under the rocks, you might be familiar with ‘delulu’, that is short and funny to say delusional. Well, the meaning remains same, having unrealistic expectations. The word was reportedly started by the K-Pop fans who ‘dreamt’ of marrying the singers or actors, well that’s delulu.
- Chat
The word garnered massive audience when it was repeatedly used in live streaming and games. The word addresses the audience, or the people you are talking to. well, Gen-Z’s are actually out of the box when it comes to hilariously being creative.
- Chopped, Cooked
Chopped/cooked isn’t a cue to a Gordon Ramsey meme, nor culinary skills. Chopped is often used to describe someone who is ugly, unattractive or undesirable. And cooked on the other hand means someone who is in deep trouble or screwed.
Other Gen-Z Slangs That Went Viral on the Internet
- Go Touch Grass: Telling someone to get off the internet and experience real life.
- Wabi Sabi: Finding beauty in imperfection. Often used humorously or as a subtle compliment online.
- Brain Rot: Mental exhaustion caused by excessive consumption of Internet.
- Caught in 4k: As the phrase suggests, being exposed with clear proofs, usually online.
Also Read | Planning a New Year Getaway? 5 Places in India That Will Make You Pack Your Bags
