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Gen Alpha slang refers to the specialized vocabulary and expressions used by individuals belonging to Generation Alpha, which emerged in the late 2010s. This slang is a reflection of the technological advancements, social changes, and cultural nuances of the digital age that shaped this generation's formative years. Here's a comprehensive list of Gen Alpha slang terms and their meanings:
Ate / Eat
Description: Something that is particularly impressive or excellent, often related to consumption or accomplishments.
Example: "That new album by Billie Eilish is such an ate!"
Other forms: "serving" (also used as a verb meaning to serve as a server)
Basic
Description: Conforming to mainstream tastes or lacking originality.
Example: "Ugh, this outfit is so basic, I need to find something more unique."
Other forms: "standard" (in the context of products or services)
Bet
Description: Affirmation or agreement, similar to definitely.
Example: "We're going to ace this test, bet!"
Other forms: "confident" or "assured" (expressing a high degree of certainty)
Big W (or Big L)
Description: A victory (Big W) or defeat (Big L)庆祝。
Example: "Big W (or Big L): We finally beat that level in the game!"
Other forms: "win" / "victory" for the first instance, and "loss" / "defeat" for the second
Bop
Description: A catchy and enjoyable song, often used to describe music.
Example: "That new song by Olivia Rodriguez is such a bop, I can't stop listening to it!"
Other forms: To "bop" someone, meaning to dance beautifully.
Bussin'
Description: Exceptionally delicious or flavorful food.
Example: "These cookies my grandma made are bussin'!"
Other forms: "delicious" (when talking about food generally), "delightful" (when talking about something that causes intense joy)
Cap
Description: To lie or exaggerate, often used to criticize or expose falsehoods.
Example: "She didn't buy a new iPhone, she's capping!"
Other forms: To "cap" someone, meaning to limit, confine, or restrain someone's speech or behavior, or to "top up" (replenish) a quantity.
Cheugy
Description: Outdated, unfashionable, or uncool, often in terms of fashion.
Example: "Skinny jeans are so cheugy."
Other forms: "outdated" (in general), "unstylish" (in terms of clothing)
Clout
Description: Influence, often gained through social media presence or popularity.
Example: "Addison Rae has so much clout, all the brands want to work with her."
Other forms: Having "clout" or possessing a significant amount of social influence.
Cringe
Description: A feeling of embarrassment, discomfort, or secondhand embarrassment, often in relation to a memorable or awkward event.
Example: "I fumbled my science presentation in front of the whole class, major cringe!"
Other forms: To "choke" (in a manner of speaking), to be overwhelmed by nervousness
Delulu
Description: Someone who is delusional or has unrealistic expectations.
Example: "He thinks he's going to win the talent show, but he's totally delulu."
Other forms: "delirious" (when describing someone who is extremely confused or irrational)
Drip
Description: A fashion sense or lifestyle characterized by the use of fashionable clothing, accessories, or overall appearance.
Example: "Her outfit at the dance was fire, her whole drip was on point."
Other forms: "trendsetters" (someone who sets trends), "chic" (in a style sense）
Extra
Description: Someone or something that is excessive, over-the-top, or dramatic in behavior, appearance, or actions.
Example: "Her reaction to the movie was so extra, everyone was staring."
Other forms: "excessively" (when describing something in a manner that implies its scale or intensity), "overwrought" (when describing an overly complicated or elaborate situation
Fanum Tax
Description: The act of taking a bite of someone else's food, named after streamer Fanum
Example: "My friend took a big Fanum Tax out of my pizza when I wasn't looking!"
Other forms: To take a "snack" (the amount of food necessary to be satisfied), or to act in an analogous manner in terms of financial contribution.
Fax
Description: Facts or that which is "true."
Example: "That test was way harder than they said it would be. Fax."
Other forms: To "fax" something, meaning to send it by photograph.
Finna
Description: To be about to do something, usually in the near future.
Example: "I'm finna head out, gotta catch some sleep before school."
Other forms: "about to go" (expressing eagerness or preparation to leave)
Fire
Description: Excellence, amazingness,
Flex
Description: To boast or display, often in terms of personal possessions, achievements, or abilities.
Example: "He was flexing his new phone all day, it got kind of annoying."
Other forms: To "show off" in general.
Glow Up
Description: A significant transformation for the better, especially in appearance or confidence.
Example: Sarah cut her hair and got new glasses, she totally had a glow up this summer!
Other forms:* "makeover" (for a thorough transformation)
GOAT
Description: The greatest of all time in their field.
Example: "LeBron James is the undisputed GOAT of basketball!"
Gucci
Description: slang for “good” or “cool”, derived from the luxury fashion brand Gucci, suggesting something of high quality or stylish.
Example:: "I managed to submit my paper before the deadline. All Gucci."
Ghost
Description: To vanish or stop communicating suddenly, especially online.
Example: "Mr. King ghosted me when I emailed him about the final project. He never replied."
Other forms: To "disappear" or to "vanish" (of an object), to "discontinue" (of an activity)
Ick
Description: An expression of disgust or repulsion towards something unpleasant.
Example: "The new cafeteria menu is kinda giving me the ick."
Other forms: To be "disgusted" (of a particular food item), to be repelled (of something)
It's Giving
Description: Exuding a certain energy.
Example: "Everyone's dressed so nicely for prom. It's giving Met Gala."
Other forms: To "give off an"
Yeet
Description: A slang term used to express excitement, approval, or emphasis when throwing something, both literally and figuratively.
Example: "Someone just yeeted a football across the field and accidentally hit Ms. Wamble!"
Other forms:* To "throw" (both metaphorically and literally), or to "do something with enthusiasm"
Pro-Tips for Teachers Engaging with Gen Alpha Students
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Embrace the learning process: Show genuine interest in their slang. Ask questions like, “What does ‘vibing’ mean?”, to encourage dialogue and understanding.
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Context is key: Avoid jumping tos about the meaning of slang terms. What may seem negative to you could be a compliment within their peer group.
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Maintain boundaries: Be part of the squad but remember to uphold your role as an educator. Use slang sparingly, avoid those that aren't appropriate for the classroom, and try not to overuse them to maintain professionalism.
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Turn it into a learning opportunity: Suggest having students create their own presentations on the history of slang or using slang terms in creative writing exercises.
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Here are some activity ideas to incorporate slang into your daily teaching:
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Creative Writing: Challenge students to incorporate slang terms into creative writing exercises, encouraging them to consider the impact of language choice.
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Slang Debates: Facilitate lighthearted timed debates where students are grouped to argue the merits of different slang terms, fostering critical thinking and communication skills.
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History of Slang: Divide students into groups to research current and past slang terms. To showcase their findings, they can create presentations (slides, posters, skits) featuring the slang terms, definitions, and usage examples. They can also use a word cloud or word bank to represent the compiled slang terms visually.
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Slang Quiz: Challenge students to test their slang knowledge by guessing the origins and definitions of terms and phrases used in prior generations. Gamify the experience by awarding points for correct answers and tracking progress on a leaderboard.
Take your slang quizzes to the next level by
transforming them into classroom quiz games!
Take your quizzes to the next level by transforming them into classroom quiz games check out our free PowerPoint game templates as a reference and watch your students erupt with excitement as they compete to become the classroom slang champion!
Final Thoughts
Understanding Gen Alpha slang isn’t about sounding cool—it’s about connecting with your students. By embracing this ever-evolving language you become more than an instructor—you become a part of their conversation. This connection empowers you to create a more engaging and inclusive learning environment ultimately strengthening classroom connections and maximizing your students' potential.
Learn more about engaging with and managing students of all levels here
