Gen Y

1 of 2

noun

ˈjen-ˈwī 

: generation y

These kids have expensive tastes. Gen Y came of age in an era of unprecedented affluence, and its members were reared by indulgent boomer parents.

—Keith Haughton

—often used before another noun

About 3.5 million Gen Y drivers get their license each year.

—Daren Fonda

—often hyphenated in such use

… blatant product placement turns off Gen-Y viewers who are offended by brand mentions.

—Joanne Ostrow

Gen Yer

ˈjen-ˈwī-ər 

noun

or Gen-Yer

plural Gen Yers or Gen-Yers

Gen Yers have plenty to be exercised about. They're inheriting an economy in which many of the things their parents took for granted are evaporating …

—Michelle Conlin

The debts of today's Gen Yers are bigger ($26,000 in average student loans, up from $10,000 in 1985).

—Ted Rall

-geny

2 of 2

noun combining form

: generation : production

phylogeny

Examples of Gen Y in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

According to the Pew Research Center, there are five generations in the global workforce: Silent Generation (1922-1945); Baby Boomers (1946-1964); Gen X (1965-1980); Gen Y/Millennials (1981-1996); and Gen Z (1997-2012). —Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

That experience will continue to evolve as the younger, more diverse consumer spending habits of Gen Z and Gen Y define the next era of luxury shopping. —Kristin Mueller, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024

Most of the push is coming from younger consumers: 61% of Gen Y and 66% of Gen Z used a digital wallet in the past 90 days, according to a recent Worldpay report. —David Parker, Forbes, 4 Sep. 2024

While no-show socks served as Gen Y’s counterculture from their parents and grandparents, it was likely also influenced by athletic wear. —Samantha Chery, Washington Post, 21 June 2024

Trigger warning to Gen Y: Prepare to feel a little, um, old. —Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2024

After all, Early’s stand-up sends up the gulf between confidence and competence that Gen Y can exhibit. —Brent Lang, Variety, 18 Jan. 2024

Along the blurry edge at the cusp of the two generations, between Gen Y and Z, is where zillennials live. —Terry Ward, CNN, 10 May 2023

Yet as the largest portion of the US workforce, Gen Y managed historically high levels of change and were the backbone of navigating one of the most stressful periods in the history of organizational life during the Global Pandemic. —Beau River, Forbes, 20 Apr. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun combining form

Greek -geneia act of being born, from -genēs born — more at -gen

First Known Use

Noun

1994, in the meaning defined above