Reading: 51 Millennial and Gen Z Acronyms You Need to Know in 2024

Your kids (or grandkids), co-workers, or (eep) young bosses are texting you with some foreign-looking words like IDK (I don’t know) and IYKYK  (if you know you know) or Slacking you with terms like “sus” and “mid” (read on). These slang terms are oftentimes acronyms and are becoming so ubiquitous, you might have already encountered them in the workplace.

Our advice: If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.

So stop giving Grandmacore (channeling your grandma) vibes and start communicating like you’re ITK (in the know).

To help you on your way, we’ve created a glossary of some of the most commonly used acronyms and some of our favorite terms from our Millennial and Gen Z friends. Print it out in old-school style and keep it at your desk. You’ll never get caught (like our hilarious friend Rona Gindin) on a job application being asked to write about an “AF room” (see below) and not know what that means.

Even our millennial friend, Dr. Tiana Piscitelli, now a pediatric dentist, admits: “Millennials have acronyms because we grew up during the days of texting and AIM. Gen Z has all new words in the age of TikTok. Ain’t nothing cool or hip about saying TTYL (talk to you later) anymore. When a kiddo sits down in my chair and says, That’s RIZZ! (charisma, baby), I gotta know WTF they mean.”

Millennial Acronyms (and Slang) A-C

Adulting = This means exactly what it says. When a millennial feels like they are doing something “adult-like” even though they don’t feel like a full-grown adult. You know, like, work. Or decorating the house. Or cooking a meal. 

AF = As F*ck. The most extreme degree of feeling, either positive or negative. My boss’s decision made me angry AF.

aura = This is used to describe someone’s coolness. But not like how we know the term, aka, complimenting people on their positive energy around them. This is more like a sneaker compliment. He has so much aura.

bae = Before anyone else. A way of referring to your romantic partner. Sometimes also used among best friends. Interchangeable with “babe” or “boo.” Just don’t use this when referring to their dad or grandpa because the response you’ll get (see “ick” lol).

basic = Meaning: boring. Plain. Simple. Don’t get caught being called basic. Or, that idea you have? That activity you want to do? That new top you’re wearing? Nope, it’s not a compliment.

BFFR = Be F*cking For Real. When you need someone to be honest with themselves, stop lying, or get in touch with reality. 

bougie = A way to describe someone (or something) that feels lavish and high-class. But FYI (we know you know this one!), this isn’t always a compliment.

Brat = Kamala Harris being called a brat? No. Not a brat. But…brat. As in, cool, confident, not caring what other people think about you (yes, please!). 

btw = By the way. (Also, please tell us you know this one already, because it’s so “Basic”). 

CU = See you. A way of saying goodbye or see you soon.

Millennial Acronyms F-K

FAAFO = F*ck Around And Find Out. Hail to the GOAT Simone Biles for introducing us to this whopper. Basically, you might hear this in the context of someone trying to defend themselves against feeling attacked or belittled or doubted. 

FML = F*ck My Life. How one expresses the feeling of being Over. It. All. Not sure when I’ll get home — all train service going to and from the city has been suspended. FML.

FOMO / JOMO = Fear Of Missing Out / Joy Of Missing Out. (No explanation needed.) 

FTW = For The Win! Describing someone who has accomplished something, anything — delivering a snarky comeback, getting a raise, getting off the couch. 

FWIW = For What It’s Worth. An acknowledgment that the information you’re about to share may or may not be useful.

Ghosting = Ending all communication. Ignoring text messages. Not replying. Usually this happens when someone doesn’t want to continue a relationship or friendship so if your daughter texts you with crying emojis saying she was ghosted by her crush, be prepared to be that shoulder she can cry on. Metaphorically speaking, ofc.

GOAT = Greatest Of All Time. Hello again, Simone Biles.

ick = Just what you think it means, aka, gross!

ICYMI = In Case You Missed It. ICYMI: Covey Club’s podcast on how women reinvented Fifth Avenue is totally worth a listen. 

IKR = Shorthand way of saying: I know, right?

ILY = I Love You. 

IMO / IMHO = In My Opinion / In My Humble Opinion. 

IRL = In Real Life. Any interaction that takes place with another human being in the same space, offline, tyvm. I look forward to meeting you IRL!

It’s giving… = A way to describe someone’s mood or vibe. (Can be used ironically or rudely, FYI, but we prefer keeping it positive!) Love those boots, it’s giving country cool. 

KK = Basically the cutest way to say OK. Way cooler than giving a thumbs-up emoji. 

LMAO / LMFAO = Laugh My Ass Off. But, we prefer Laugh My F*cking Ass Off. 

lol = We know you know this one…Laugh Out Loud.

mid = Exactly what you think it means. If something’s average, it’s “mid.”

Millennial Acronyms N-Z

NBD = No big deal.

NP = No problem. 

NVM = Nevermind. 

ofc = of course. (Use it. Embrace it.)

SMH = Shaking My Head. Literally shaking my head in disappointment or disbelief. SMH at Kanye West’s comments on… well, just, everything.

STFU = Shut The F*ck Up. (Yes, millennials love dropping F-bombs, so you might as well get accustomed to it.)

sus = Meaning, suspicious or shady. You’ll hear this more with your grandkids or the youngest co-workers. Getting called into a meeting with the boss? Totally sus. (Or maybe slim sus.)

TBH = To Be Honest. How to let someone know that the truth might hurt.

TFW = That Feeling When. Used as a way to describe a current mood or moment. TFW you finally finished work and shut down the laptop for the day.

TY / tyvm = Thank You… or even better, thank you very much (sometimes said sarcastically).

WTF = What The F*ck. (See??)

YW = You’re Welcome. (Literally.)