If you were born between the early ‘80s and mid-‘90s, congratulations—you might be a millennial. And if you’ve ever uttered the words “Can’t even,” or “That’s so extra,” you’re definitely fluent in a language that once ruled Tumblr, Facebook, and the golden age of memes. Millennial slang phrases and words were born at the intersection of dial-up internet and the dawn of the smartphone, raised on AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) away messages and nurtured by Vine, BuzzFeed quizzes, and binge-worthy Netflix shows.
While Gen Z may have taken the social media mic today, millennials walked so Gen Zs could run. So whether you’re here for a trip down memory lane or just want to know what we were saying before TikTok became a thing, here’s your ultimate list of millennial slang that still has us feeling some type of way.
The Most Popular Slang Phrases Millennials Use
- Adulting – Pretending you’ve got it all together. Like paying rent. Or doing laundry.
- Basic – Someone who’s painfully predictable (Pumpkin Spice Latte, anyone?).
- FOMO – Fear of missing out on all the fun while you sit at home in your PJs.
- YOLO – You Only Live Once (aka the battle cry for every impulsive decision).
- Ghosting – Disappearing from someone’s life without explanation. Boo.
- On fleek – Perfectly styled or executed. Usually eyebrows.
- Bae – Before anyone else. Or just… anyone you’re into.
- Bye Felicia – A sassier way to say “get lost,” made iconic by the movie Friday.
- Lit – Amazing, exciting, popping off (mostly parties, sometimes brunch).
- Slay – To absolutely kill it, especially in a fierce outfit or bold move.
- Totes – Short for totally. Bonus: “totes adorbs.”
- Humblebrag – Bragging… but with fake modesty.
- Squad – Your tight-knit group of friends. Think Taylor Swift circa 2014.
- Throw shade – Subtly (or not so subtly) insulting someone.
- Thirsty – Desperate for attention (or affection).
- Can’t even – Complete emotional overload. Usually means you literally can’t function.
- Turnt – Wild, hyped up, usually with the help of alcohol or loud music.
- Zero chill – Lacking any ounce of subtlety or calm.
- I’m dead – Something’s so funny, you’ve metaphorically died laughing.
- AF – As f***. Used for emphasis (e.g., “Hungry AF”).
- No chill – When someone is being dramatic or extra. See also: zero chill.
- Extra – Over the top in a way that is not at all necessary.
- Side hustle – Your freelance gig, Etsy shop, or ride-share route to supplement your income.
- Shook – Shocked, amazed, or emotionally rattled.
- Woke – Originally meaning socially aware, now occasionally used sarcastically.
- #Blessed – Used to express gratitude or mock how often others express gratitude.
- Low-key / High-key – Quietly into something vs. very obviously into something.
- Throwback / TBT – A nostalgic nod to the past, usually shared on a Thursday.
- Cray / Cray-cray – Crazy, but with more drama.
- Hangry – So hungry you’re angry.
- Feels – Deep emotions. Usually triggered by music, movies, or old Facebook albums.
- Savage – Someone who says or does something brutally honest.
- Clapback – A quick, witty comeback (and usually brutal).
- Deadass – Seriously. No joke. For real.
- Mood – A vibe, a whole mood, a general statement of relatability.
- Netflix and chill – Not just watching Netflix. You know what it means.
- Adult beverage – A classy way to say “I need a drink.”
- All the things – Everything you want or need at once. (e.g., “Give me coffee, a nap, and a puppy. All the things.”).
- Obvi – Short for “obviously.” Used when something is a no-brainer.
- Ugh, same – A highly relatable response that means “I feel that on a spiritual level.”
Millennial slang wasn’t just a phase—it was a whole cultural vibe. These phrases weren’t just words; they were survival tools in the wild world of dating apps, group chats, and mid-2000s pop culture. While Gen Z might be busy inventing new ways to say “I’m tired of this,” we’ll always have on fleek brows, FOMO-filled weekends, and lit squad goals burned into our collective memory.
So if you’re still dropping the occasional “totes” or saying “I’m dead” during a Zoom call, don’t worry—you’re not out of touch. You’re just keeping the millennial flame alive. And honestly? That’s pretty savage.