If you know the phrase, “What the sigma?” or know what “GYAT” means, give yourself a pat on the back because you’re already ahead of the pop culture curve. These two terms are just a taste of Gen Alpha slang words. Generation Alpha, AKA people who were born between 2010 and 2024, have grown up amid a digital revolution. Instagram launched, the word “app” started gaining traction and iPads made their debut in the early 2000s.
Since this group grew up in a digital age, most of their slang comes from their many forms of communication like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Roblox, school and friends. If you’re a parent, you certainly don’t want to be in a social setting and say an outdated slang word or phrase that used to be cool. Wouldn’t you cringe if your best friend said “bling” or “booyah” to a group of tweens? Yikes.
There’s generally no point in Googling the latest slang because you’ll never catch up. Luckily for me, I’m the parent of a Gen Alpha and Gen Z kid, so I’m inundated with nonsensical terms and outbursts that don’t make sense. In fact, both of them helped me with this list!
While they don’t use the same words, Gen Z’s slang words sometimes overlap with the even younger generation. Understanding terms from either group can help you fit into conversations and, yes, avoid being labeled “beta.” What’s “beta”? It’s the opposite of an Alpha person, so “beta” is slang for someone who’s less assertive (AKA weak).
OK, it’s time to get hip. Keep note that not all of these were created by Gen Alpha kids, but they’re commonly used by people of this generation. Here’s hoping that our list of 55 Gen Alpha slang words will give you some cool points with the youth. It will also give you some clue as to what these kids are saying.
55 Gen Alpha Slang Words (With Meanings)
1. Brain Rot
General term for spending too much time online watching low quality content that “rot” the brain.
2. Skibidi
This slang, which could mean good, bad, cool, is named after the popular YouTube series called “Skibidi Toilet” by animator Alexey Gerasimov. Most of the videos show toilets with the heads of grown men spinning and talking while singing songs.
3. Skibiddi Ohio Rizz
To call someone this means that they’re weird.
4. Rizz
Abbreviation of the word “charisma”, which is the charm, magnetism or ability to attract others.
5. Rizzler
Someone who has a lot of charisma.
