14 New Cambridge Dictionary Words Gen Z and Gen Alpha Should Know

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Language is evolving faster than ever, and Gen Z and Gen Alpha are at the heart of this change. From TikTok trends to workplace culture, new slang and buzzwords are finding their way into mainstream English—and even the Cambridge Dictionary.

The 2025 update added thousands of fresh words, reflecting how we live, work, and communicate today. While viral terms like delulu and skibidi grabbed headlines, there are plenty more worth knowing. Here are 14 new Cambridge Dictionary additions Gen Z and Alpha will love (minus the overhyped ones):


1. Mouse Jiggler

A gadget or software that fakes computer activity—perfect for remote workers who want to look “online.”

2. Work Wife / Work Spouse

That special coworker you’re super close to—supportive like a partner, but purely platonic.

3. Snackable

Bite-sized content that’s quick and easy to consume, like Reels, Shorts, or TikToks.

4. Forever Chemical

Dangerous man-made substances (like PFAS) that stay in the environment and harm health.

5. Digital Decay

The slow fading of digital files, memories, or data as tech becomes outdated.

6. Gen Alpha

The youngest generation—those born in the 2010s and 2020s—who are already shaping online culture.

7. Fast Tech

Cheap, disposable gadgets that break quickly and add to the growing e-waste problem.

8. Technofossil

Durable human-made items, like plastic, that could become “fossils” for future archaeologists.

9. Tech Bro

A stereotype for privileged, cocky men in tech—often billionaires or startup founders.

10. Solulu

The cheeky opposite of delulu—meaning a realistic, practical solution to a problem.

11. Quiet Quitting

Doing your job exactly as written—no unpaid overtime, no “going the extra mile.”

12. Situationship

More than a friendship, less than a relationship—this undefined romance is everywhere.

13. Doomscrolling

Endlessly scrolling bad news on your phone, even though it makes you anxious.

14. Finfluencer

A social media creator who shares financial advice, investment tips, or money hacks.


Why It Matters

These new words prove how culture, technology, and social media shape our everyday language. Whether it’s describing modern love (situationship), digital struggles (doomscrolling), or workplace hacks (mouse jiggler), today’s slang is tomorrow’s dictionary entry.

Language isn’t just about communication—it’s about identity. And for Gen Z and Alpha, these words are the vocabulary of their world.

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