39 Sigma Gen Alpha Slang Words & Phrases For Aura Points in 2026
Looking to boost your aura points with some everyday Gen Alpha slang? I get it. As the parent of a Gen Alpha kid, I understand all too well the pressure to stay current so you don’t embarrass them by dropping outdated slang terms like “baloney” or “trill” (cringe!). So, to make sure you don’t get lost in the sauce when chatting with your kids, nieces and nephews, we’ve put together a list of some of the most bussin’ Gen Alpha slang words.
What are Gen Alpha words exactly? Gen Alpha is the generation of kids born between 2010 and 2024, and because they grew up fully immersed in the digital world, a lot of their slang comes from the places they hang out and communicate most, like TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Roblox. This spills over into school and everyday conversations with friends. Now that you’re up to speed on the origins of Gen Alpha slang, here’s a list of some of the most common terms making the rounds.
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Alpha Slang Words & Phrases
1. Sigma
Meaning:
Sigma means “good” and can be used much like the word good itself — it works in almost any situation. A sigma can also refer to someone who’s cool, confident, and stands out from the crowd.
Usage:
You might hear someone say “that’s so sigma” to describe anything positive or impressive, and it’s even a term that can come up during fun conversations or ice breaker questions when kids are trying to show off what they think is cool.
Examples:
"That outfit is so sigma."
"He handled that test like a sigma."
"Building your own PC? That’s sigma behavior."
2. Drip
Meaning:
Drip is Gen Alpha slang for someone who has a cool and trendy style.
Usage:
This term is typically used to compliment someone's outfit or specific components of their outfit, like their coat, hat, pants or dress. For instance, you can say "your shoes are dripping" or "you've got serious drip today." You might also hear variations like "dripped out" to describe someone dressed exceptionally well.
Examples:
"Bro, your jacket has major drip."
"She came to school totally dripped out."
"Those sneakers are pure drip."
3. Clock It
Meaning:
'Clock it' means to notice something, often something subtle or that others might have missed. It's about being observant and aware.
Usage:
For example, you might say "Did you clock that side-eye she gave him?" or "I clocked your new haircut immediately." This Gen Alpha slang word emphasizes paying attention to details.
Examples:
"Did you clock how quiet he got?"
"I clocked that new phone the second you walked in."
"Clock it — he’s totally nervous."
4. Mid
Meaning:
Mid is an insult that basically means something is uncool, average, boring or low quality. It's used to express disappointment or underwhelm.
Usage:
For example, "that movie was mid" means it wasn't terrible but wasn't good either — just mediocre. You might also hear "that's so mid" in response to something that fails to impress. It's become one of the most common Gen Alpha slang words for dismissing things that don't meet expectations.
Examples:
"That pizza was mid at best."
"Bro, that playlist is mid."
"Honestly, this show is kinda mid."
5. Aura (Points)
Meaning:
Aura means you're cool and it refers to the vibe or energy you give off.
Usage:
Gen Alpha kids have this whole thing about aura points, and the cooler something is, the more aura points you have. Positive actions, confident behavior or impressive achievements earn you aura points, while embarrassing moments can make you lose aura. You might hear "that gave you +1,000 aura" or "you just lost 500 aura points."
Examples:
"Helping her out just gave you major aura points."
"That outfit? Straight +1,000 aura."
"You tripped on stage — minus 500 aura."
6. Glaze
Meaning:
Glaze means to hype someone or something up, often excessively.
Usage:
When you're glazing someone, you're showering them with compliments and praise. For example, "stop glazing him" means stop overly praising that person. It can be used positively when genuine admiration is warranted or negatively when someone is being too much of a yes-person or brown-noser.
Examples:
"Bro, stop glazing the teacher."
"She’s glazing him so hard right now."
"Okay, that’s enough glazing — we get it!"
7. Opp
Meaning:
The word 'opp' refers to an enemy, rival or even a frenemy. Basically, someone who opposes you or isn't truly on your side.
Usage:
Short for "opposition" or "opponent," this term is commonly used in gaming, sports and everyday social situations. You might say "watch out for the opps" or "he's been acting like an opp lately."
Examples:
"Can’t trust him, he’s an opp."
"Watch out — the opps are in the chat."
"She switched sides? Total opp move."
8. Chopped
Meaning:
Chopped basically means bad, ugly or messed up. It's a harsh term used to describe something or someone that looks rough or didn't turn out well.
Usage:
For instance, "that haircut is chopped" or "the project came out chopped." It's definitely not a compliment and is often used when something has gone wrong or looks particularly unappealing.
Examples:
"That selfie is chopped, delete it."
"My cake turned out so chopped."
"His outfit today? Chopped beyond saving."
9. TBH
Meaning:
Often used to express one's real or honest feelings about something, TBH is an acronym for "to be honest." It's primarily used when you're about to say something candid or potentially controversial.
Usage:
For example, you could say "TBH, I prefer the other one" or "TBH, I'm not really feeling this."
Examples:
"TBH, that movie was kinda boring."
"TBH, you were right about him."
"I’m too tired to go out tonight, TBH."
10. Dupe
Meaning:
Dupe refers to a more affordable version of a premium or expensive product; essentially, a knockoff or alternative that gives you a similar look or result for less money.
Usage:
This term is commonly used in the beauty and fashion industries by influencers. For instance, you might say, "These Amazon earrings are a great dupe for the designer earrings that are popular right now." Finding good dupes has become a popular way to stay on trend without breaking the bank.
Examples:
"This perfume is a total dupe for Chanel."
"That jacket’s a Zara dupe for Prada."
"Amazon’s full of great skincare dupes."
11. IYKYK
Meaning:
IYKYK is an abbreviation for "if you know, you know."
Usage:
This Gen Alpha slang is commonly used when there's an insider joke, reference or experience that only certain people will understand. For example, you might caption a photo with just "IYKYK" to signal that there's a story or meaning behind it that only those in the know will get.
Examples:
"Last night’s party… IYKYK."
"Posted the photo — IYKYK."
"That inside joke lives rent-free, IYKYK."
12. Lit
Meaning:
Something lit is exciting, fun, cool or amazing and is often used to describe an experience or event.
Usage:
You might say "that party was lit" or "this concert is going to be lit." It can also be used to describe someone who is drunk or intoxicated, though that's a secondary meaning.
Examples:
"That festival was so lit!"
"Tonight’s gonna be lit, I can feel it."
"Your birthday party was actually lit."
13. Skibidi
Meaning:
Skibidi means bad and is the opposite of sigma in Gen Alpha slang.
Usage:
It originated from the viral "Skibidi Toilet" meme series and has evolved to describe anything negative, weird or cringe-worthy. If something is "skibidi," it's definitely not cool. You might hear "that's so skibidi" to describe something bizarre or disappointing.
Examples:
"That haircut is straight skibidi."
"This homework assignment is skibidi."
"Bro, that joke was mad skibidi."
14. Ghosting
Meaning:
Ghosting is one of those Gen Alpha slang words that are used when someone ignores your messages without giving any explanation or response, essentially disappearing from communication like a ghost.
Usage:
This often happens in dating situations when someone suddenly stops responding after you've been talking or seeing each other. It's considered rude and hurtful, leaving the other person confused about what went wrong. You might say, "I think he's ghosting me" or "she totally ghosted after our last date."
Examples:
"He ghosted me after three dates."
"She’s totally ghosting the group chat."
"Getting ghosted mid-conversation is wild."
15. Clapback
Meaning:
A clapback is a sharp, quick response to criticism and negative comments.
Usage:
It's usually a witty, clever or strong comeback that puts someone in their place. When someone says something mean or tries to insult you, a good clapback shuts them down effectively. For example, "her clapback was legendary" or "he came back with the perfect clapback."
Examples:
"Her clapback had everyone silent."
"That tweet was the ultimate clapback."
"He delivered a clapback for the ages."
16. Lowkey (Highkey)
Meaning:
Lowkey means to keep a low profile or stay discreet about something.
Usage:
It's used when you don't want to appear too eager or enthusiastic about something, even if you're actually excited. The opposite of being lowkey is being highkey, which means being very obvious or open about something. For example, you might say "I'm lowkey excited for the festival this Friday" to express excitement while downplaying it or "I lowkey want pizza for dinner" when you're somewhat interested but not desperate.
Examples:
"I’m lowkey nervous for tomorrow."
"Lowkey, I think he likes you."
"I’m lowkey obsessed with this song."
17. Slay
Meaning:
The term slay is used as a verb to describe someone who has performed exceedingly well or looks absolutely amazing. The Gen Alpha slang expression originated in Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ ballroom culture in the 1980s-90s, meaning "kill it" with style, attitude, or performance. It evolved from the older English word "to kill" and gained mainstream popularity through shows like RuPaul's Drag Race and Beyoncé's song Formation, transforming into a widespread compliment for succeeding spectacularly or looking amazing, with roots in African-American Vernacular English (AAVE) and queer culture.
Usage:
You can also use slay as a response to anything that’s deemed cool or awesome. For instance, you can say "she completely slayed that song, her vocals were fantastic" or "you're slaying that outfit!" "Slay" can also be used as an exclamation of support, like when someone shares a photo and you comment "slay!"
Examples:
"She slayed that presentation."
"You’re slaying that outfit today!"
"Slay! That was incredible."
18. Salty
Meaning:
Salty refers to feeling angry, upset, bitter, irritated or annoyed, often over something minor or petty.
Usage:
It usually has a negative association. For example, "they're just salty cause they're jealous" or "why are you so salty about losing the game?" When someone is acting salty, they're being a sore loser or showing unnecessary bitterness about a situation.
Examples:
"Don’t be salty, it’s just a game."
"He’s still salty about that comment."
"She got so salty after losing."
19. Delulu
Meaning:
Delulu means delusional and you may have come across this one on platforms like TikTok where phrases like "delulu is the solulu" have been popularized.
Usage:
It's often used in relationships when someone in love acts irrationally or has unrealistic expectations about a crush or partner. For example, "I'm being so delulu about this guy" or "she's in her delulu era." It's become one of the most popular Gen Alpha slang words for acknowledging when you or someone else is being unrealistic about something or someone.
Examples:
"I’m so delulu thinking he likes me back."
"She’s in her delulu era again."
"Bro’s delulu if he thinks that’ll work."
20. Cold
Meaning:
When something is really cool and impressive, Gen Alpha will typically use the term 'cold' to describe it.
Usage:
For example, "that move was cold" or "his outfit is cold." It's similar to saying something is "fire" but with a different vibe: cold suggests something is so cool it's almost intimidating or breathtaking.
Examples:
"That dunk was cold!"
"Her new shoes are cold — no cap."
"Bro just walked in looking cold as ice."
21. Cap
Meaning:
Cap means "that's not true" or "that's a lie" and it can also be used to say that someone is exaggerating. One Redditor suggests that the origins come from the capped tooth instead of a solid gold one, which is considered "fake". So, "No cap" then means "not fake".
Usage:
The phrase "no cap" means "no lie" or "I'm being serious." For instance, "you're capping right now" means "you're lying," while "that's the best pizza ever, no cap" means you're being completely honest. This Gen Alpha slang has become incredibly common in everyday conversations, both online and in person.
Examples:
"Bro said he ran a marathon — cap!"
"This game’s the best, no cap."
"You’re capping if you think that’s true."
22. Mogging
Meaning:
If you're "mogging" someone, you're clearly more attractive or impressive than they are in a comparison.
Usage:
The term comes from internet culture and can sound pretty competitive or harsh. You might hear "he's mogging everyone in that photo."
Examples:
"He’s mogging all of us with that suit."
"She totally mogged the whole group."
"That new profile pic? Straight mogging."
23. Gyat
Meaning:
Gyat (often spelled GYATT) is an exclamation used to express admiration for someone's physical appearance, particularly their curves or "booty."
Usage:
Instead of saying "do these pants make my booty look big?" you'd substitute the word booty or butt for gyat. It was popularized by gaming streamer Kai Cenat and has become widely used Gen Alpha slang.
Examples:
"GYAT! She really showed up today."
"Bro saw her and just said ‘gyatttt.’"
"That outfit got everyone saying gyat."
24. Pookie
Meaning:
Pookie is a term of endearment usually reserved for the people you love, such as romantic partners, close friends or even pets.
Usage:
This Gen Alpha slang is an affectionate nickname that shows warmth and care. You might call your significant other "hey pookie" or refer to your best friend as "my pookie."
Examples:
"Good morning, pookie!"
"You’re my favorite pookie ever."
"Come here, pookie, I missed you!"
25. Sus
Meaning:
Sus is short for 'suspicious' or 'suspect,' and it refers to a weird situation, a weird person or something that seems off or questionable.
Usage:
For example, "that's sus" means something doesn't seem right or trustworthy. It gained massive popularity from the game Among Us and has become a staple in Gen Alpha vocabulary. You might say "he's acting sus" or "this whole situation is sus."
Examples:
"That excuse sounds super sus."
"Why’s he being so quiet? Kinda sus."
"Those DMs are looking sus, bro."
26. Dank
Meaning:
Dank is a term used to describe something of high quality or anything exceptionally good or funny.
Usage:
For instance, "that's a dank meme" or "this pizza is dank." It's particularly common in internet culture and gaming communities.
Examples:
"That meme was actually dank."
"This burrito is straight dank."
"Bro’s playlist? 100% dank."
27. LMAO
Meaning:
LMAO is an acronym for "laughing my ass off."
Usage:
It's commonly used in written conversations to show that something is funny and is a more emphatic way of expressing amusement than just "lol" (laugh out loud). For example, you might respond to a funny text with "LMAO that's hilarious" or use it to show you're genuinely laughing at something. There's also "LMFAO" which adds extra emphasis, where the "f" stands for a four-letter word we would rather not mention in our Magazine ;)
Examples:
"LMAO that video killed me."
"Bro slipped on stage — LMAO."
"LMAO I can’t stop laughing!"
28. Rizz
Meaning:
When someone is described as having rizz, it means they're good at flirting and charming others, especially through their verbal communication and someone who has rizz or charisma is called a rizzler.
Usage:
For example, "he's got so much rizz" or "she rizzed him up." The word actually comes from the middle of "charisma" and has become one of the most widely used Gen Alpha slang words.
Examples:
"That pickup line? Pure rizz."
"She’s got more rizz than anyone here."
"He rizzed her up instantly."
29. Ohio
Meaning:
Ohio is like an insult in Gen Alpha slang.
Usage:
So if someone calls you an Ohio or says something is "Ohio," it means you're cringe, weird or embarrassing; and it's basically the opposite of rizz. The term stems from memes about Ohio being a strange or cursed place, though it has nothing to do with the actual state. It's used to describe awkward, uncomfortable or deeply uncool situations and people.
Examples:
"That dance was straight Ohio."
"Bro’s outfit screams Ohio energy."
"This whole situation feels so Ohio."
30. Noob
Meaning:
Noob is commonly used to refer to a newbie or beginner, someone who is new to an online community, game or activity and may exhibit a lack of knowledge and skill in their interactions.
Usage:
For instance, "some games and gaming forums are filled with irritating noobs" who ask basic questions or make rookie mistakes. It can be used playfully among friends or more harshly to insult someone's competence. Variations include "n00b" or simply "newb."
Examples:
"Only a noob would fall for that trick."
"Stop camping, you noob!"
"She’s new to the game — total noob vibes."
31. Let Him Cook
Meaning:
When someone says "let him cook," they’re essentially encouraging others to give that person space to do their own thing and see where it goes.
Usage:
This phrase is used to convey support for someone's actions or words, even if they may initially seem unimpressive or questionable. It's about trusting the process and allowing someone to finish what they're doing before judging. For example, if someone is trying something unusual, you might say "just let him cook" to suggest everyone should wait and see how it turns out.
Examples:
"Let him cook, I think he’s got a plan."
"Everyone doubted her, but we let her cook — now look!"
"Let him cook, the results might surprise you."
32. Bet
Meaning:
In informal slang, bet is used as an affirmative response when you agree with someone or to indicate good news.
Usage:
For instance, if a friend asks if you're still interested in meeting this Saturday, replying with a simple "bet" signifies your agreement and enthusiasm. You might also say "bet, I'm down" or just "bet" to confirm plans. It's one of the most versatile Gen Alpha slang words.
Examples:
"Bet, see you there!"
"Need help with that? Bet!"
"Bet, I’m in — let’s go."
33. GOAT
Meaning:
GOAT stands for "the greatest of all time" and is used to praise individuals who excel in their field or industry, such as actors, musicians, athletes and more.
Usage:
It acknowledges someone's exceptional talents and achievements. For example, "LeBron James is the GOAT" or "she's the GOAT of pop music." You can also use it as a verb, like "he's goating" to say someone is performing at an incredibly high level.
Examples:
"Messi is the GOAT, no debate."
"She’s the GOAT of baking cookies."
"That speech? Pure GOAT energy."
34. Bussin'
Meaning:
Bussin' originated in African-American vernacular English and has become popular among Gen Alpha.
Usage:
It’s used to describe something, typically food, that is exceptionally delicious or flavorful. For instance, "this burger is bussin'" or "the mac and cheese was straight bussin'." While it's most commonly used for food, it can also describe anything that's really good or exceeds expectations. Sometimes you'll hear "bussin' bussin'" for extra emphasis.
Examples:
"This pizza is bussin', for real."
"Those wings? Bussin’ bussin’."
"Grandma’s cookies always bussin’."
35. Lore
Meaning:
Among Gen Alpha, the term lore is often used to describe any kind of knowledge, history or interesting facts about a person or situation.
Usage:
For example, "what's the lore behind that?" means "what's the story?" or you might say "drop the lore" to ask someone to explain something. It's particularly common in gaming culture but has expanded beyond that.
Examples:
"Okay, what’s the lore behind this drama?"
"Drop the lore, I need context."
"That group chat has so much lore."
36. Take a Seat
Meaning:
When someone is asked to take a seat, it usually means they should relax, calm down or quiet down.
Usage:
It's used when someone is being overly dramatic, wrong about something or needs to humble themselves. For instance, "you're not making much sense, please have a seat" or "take a seat with that attitude."
Examples:
"Take a seat, no one’s buying it."
"Bro, take a seat before you embarrass yourself."
"She really needs to take a seat after that comment."
37. IRL
Meaning:
This acronym stands for "in real life," which refers to interactions and experiences that happen in the physical world rather than online.
Usage:
For example, you might say, "The couch looks better IRL than on the website" or "I've never met him IRL, only online.” Understanding terms like this can also come in handy when asking questions to get to know someone face-to-face, helping conversations feel more natural and connected.
Examples:
"Finally met her IRL and she’s awesome."
"That restaurant looks way better IRL."
"I know him online, but not IRL."
38. It's Sending Me
Meaning:
If something is amusing, hilarious or generally causing a strong reaction, then you’ll hear Gen Alpha say, "that meme is sending me" or "her reaction is literally sending me."
Usage:
It's about something being so funny or relatable that it hits you hard.
Examples:
"That TikTok is sending me right now."
"Her laugh is sending me, I can’t breathe."
"This meme’s sending me into orbit."
39. Green Flag / Red Flag
Meaning:
A green flag is a positive sign or indicator that something or someone is good, while a red flag is a negative sign or warning that something is wrong or problematic.
Usage:
You’ll often hear these Gen Alpha slang words being used in the dating scene to describe whether a potential partner is showing promise or displaying concerning behavior. For example, "he's all green flags, a keeper" or "that's a major red flag, run!"
Examples:
"She texts back fast — green flag!"
"He cancels plans last minute — red flag."
"That honesty? Big green flag energy."
Is Gen Alpha slang just nonsense? Not really. Like all the different generations before them, Gen Alpha uses slang as a way to express identity, humor and connection. And if you can remember just a handful of these Gen Alpha slang terms, you should be able to navigate conversations with the digitally native generation comfortably and actually understand what they’re saying. Plus, knowing a few of these terms can even help you come up with funny questions to ask that feel current and relatable. Just keep in mind that slang evolves quickly, so some terms might fade while new ones emerge, from Gen X slang to Gen Z slang, but these are the essentials that'll help you keep up like a true sigma.
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