How does Gen Z say you're cool?
Asked by: Garret Predovic | Last update: February 14, 2026Score: 4.8/5 (31 votes)
Gen Z says someone is cool using words like "fire," "lit," "slaps," "drip," "GOAT," "bet," "sauce," "bussin'," "vibe check," or complimenting their "aura," often focusing on authenticity, style, or impressive actions, moving beyond simple "cool" to more descriptive slang that's often rooted in internet culture and African American Vernacular English (AAVE). Phrases like "That's bussin'" (amazing), "It's giving that" (has that vibe), or "You're the GOAT" (Greatest Of All Time) show approval for skills, looks, or energy, sometimes replacing traditional compliments entirely.
How does Gen Z say "cool"?
Gen Z slang for "cool" includes fire, lit, slay, drip, bussin', dope, and slaps, often used to describe something amazing, stylish, or high-quality, like a great song ("that song slaps") or an impressive outfit ("that's fire drip"). Other terms like aura (effortlessly cool vibe) or gucci (good/excellent) also fit the bill, showing how language evolves to express approval.
What do Gen Z use instead of 😂?
Gen Z uses emojis like the 💀 (Skull) and 😭 (Loudly Crying Face) to express extreme laughter, replacing the outdated 😂, along with slang like "I'm dead" or "dying," while also using textual reactions like "lol" or "lmao," and sometimes combining emojis to show intense amusement or sarcastic humor.
How do you say "cool" in modern slang?
Awesome, Nice, Sweet, Excellent, Dope, Killer, Sick.
Why does Gen Z say "pookie"?
In Gen Z slang, "pookie" is a term of endearment for a significant other, best friend, or something cute/adorable, similar to "baby," "honey," or "sweetheart," often used playfully online, especially on platforms like TikTok. It's a sweet, affectionate nickname for someone you care deeply about, though some find the term overused or silly, notes this Reddit thread.
HOW TO SPEAK GEN Z
What does 🎀 mean in Pookie?
"Pookie" (🎀) is a slang term of endearment for a cute, beloved person, partner, friend, or even a pet, similar to "honey" or "sweetheart," often used playfully on social media like TikTok; however, context is crucial, as it can also refer to a drug pipe, though the cute meaning is more common in general conversation. The ribbon emoji (🎀) emphasizes the cute, sweet, or special connotation.
What does Gen Z call a boyfriend?
Gen Z uses terms like "bae", "boo", or just their name, often preferring less formal or more descriptive words than "boyfriend," with "partner" also gaining traction for its inclusivity and neutrality, reflecting a shift away from traditional labels towards fluid, authentic expressions of connection, though simple terms like "my guy" or emphasizing actions like "he's my person" are also common.
What does Gen Z say instead of swag?
The closest Gen Z word for the "cool style/confidence" meaning of swag is drip, which describes someone's fashionable and sexy look, though swag itself has seen a resurgence, sometimes used similarly to the older term or to mean something good, like "swag, I'm on it". Other related terms include rizz (charisma/flirting), bop (great song), and general indicators of coolness like W (win/good) or slay.
What are the 10 trendiest words now?
Top 10 American Slang Words in 2025
- Bet. Adverb - Agreement, confirmation, or understanding. ...
- Bussin' Adjective - Amazing, really good. ...
- Extra. Adjective - Dramatic, attention-grabbing, too much. ...
- GOAT. Noun - An acronym indicating the Greatest Of All Time. ...
- GRWM. Acronym or Phrase - Get Ready with Me. ...
- IYKYK. ...
- Mid. ...
- No Cap/Cap.
What does Gen Z say now?
Terms like "Aura Points," "Rizz," and "Mid," bridged the digital and real worlds, spreading through memes and social media. A study done by Trinity College London found that “80% of Gen Z students acquire a significant proportion of their language skills from watching social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram”.
What does 🗣 🗣 🗣 🔥 🔥 🔥 mean?
The combination 🗣🗣🗣🔥🔥🔥 means someone is excitedly talking about something amazing, lit, or fire, emphasizing strong opinions or hot news with intense passion and volume, as the speaking heads show loud talking and fire means excellent or intense. It's like saying, "I'm telling you, this is so incredibly good/hot/amazing!".
What does the 🙃 mean in Gen Z?
The upside-down face emoji 🙃 is basically code for “this is terrible” or FML. It's used when things aren't going well or the user is having a terrible day. This modern usage is an update to the millennial sense. For the older generation, this emoji often indicated sarcasm or even silliness.
What do kids say instead of cool now?
Kids today use words like "fire," "dope," "lit," "slay," "bussin'," or "it's giving" for cool, while "drip" means great style, "GOAT" (Greatest Of All Time) is for the best, and "aura" describes natural coolness, often with variations like "rizz" (charisma) and "no cap" (for real) adding to the vibe.
Do people still say bussin?
While it's not as popular today as it was during its viral peak in 2021–2022, some kids still use “bussin” — especially younger teens picking it up from friends or older content online.
What does the 😭 mean in Gen Z?
For Gen Z, the 😭 (Loudly Crying Face) emoji often means something is extremely funny, cute, or overwhelmingly heartwarming, signifying "crying with laughter" or "so sweet it makes me emotional," rather than actual sadness, unlike its traditional meaning. It's used for exaggerated positive reactions, like when something is too cute or funny, or to express dramatic, joyful overload.
Why do kids say "slay"?
Slay is a slang colloquialism that possibly originated during the 1100s, but gained its current Gen Z definition from ballroom culture. Originally meaning something like "that joke was killer", slay has since taken on the meaning of being impressed or showing agreement.
What does Gen Alpha say for cool?
Gen Alpha slang for "cool" includes terms like "aura," "drip," "rizz," "sigma," "skibidi," and "fire," describing someone's vibe, style, charisma, or general awesomeness, though meanings can shift, with "skibidi" often meaning cool or absurd, and "aura" referring to positive energy or presence.
How to talk like Gen Z?
To "speak Gen Z," use concise, visually-driven, and often ironic language, incorporating internet slang like "slay," "bussin'," "bet," and "tea" for approval or gossip, while communicating authentically and efficiently through platforms like Discord, focusing on clarity and shared cultural references rather than trying too hard. Authenticity, understanding internet culture (memes, TikTok), and prioritizing visual/text communication are key.
How does Gen Z say it's cool?
Lit. Something lit is exciting, fun, cool. Often used to describe an experience.
What is skibidi rizz Gen Z slang?
Generally, skibidi means something is cool, bad or dumb and is pronounced like "skippity." Its meaning depends on the word its paired with, such as "skibidi rizz," which means someone who is good at flirting, or "skibidi Ohio" which refers to something that is weird or eccentric.
What does 41 mean in slang?
In modern Gen Z/Alpha slang, "41" (forty-one) is a trending, versatile term, often used on TikTok, that signifies being fully loaded, having plenty of something (like money or options), or just generally being good/ready, originating from a song where the artist had "41 of everything," and it's sometimes used with a specific hand gesture (palms up, shifting outward) opposite to the "67" (weighing options) gesture.
What's a flirty name to call him?
Flirty Nicknames for Your Boyfriend
- Baby.
- Trouble.
- Beast.
- Bad Boy.
- Stallion.
- Bae.
- Stud.
- Big Daddy.
What's the meaning of DTR in dating?
As you probably know, DTR means Define The Relationship. The Urban Dictionary defines the DTR this way: “When two people discuss their mutual understanding of a romantic relationship (casual dating, serious boyfriend, etc).”