Editorial direction by Holly··slang, gen-z, millennial

What does "cheugy" mean? (The word Gen Z uses for millennials)

"Cheugy" means out of date and trying a little too hard. Where the word came from, why it is aimed at millennials, and how it gets pronounced.

Your daughter, who’s 36, shows you a sign she bought for her kitchen that says “But first, coffee.” Her teenage son groans. “Mom, that’s so cheugy.” She looks hurt. You look confused.

The short answer

“Cheugy” means out of date and trying a little too hard. It describes things that were trendy about ten years ago and now feel slightly embarrassing, especially things associated with millennials. It’s pronounced CHOO-gee, with a hard “g” like in “goofy.”

It isn’t quite “uncool.” Cheugy things are usually cheerful and well-meant. That’s part of what makes them cheugy.

Classic cheugy things

The list changes, but these are the usual examples:

  • “Live, Laugh, Love” signs and other word art on walls
  • Saying “adulting” or “I did a thing”
  • Minion memes
  • Skinny jeans and side parts (Gen Z has opinions about both)
  • “Girl boss” and “wine mom” humor
  • Chevron prints, mason jars as drinking glasses
  • The “laughing crying” emoji 😂

Where it came from

A high school student in Los Angeles named Gaby Rasson made up the word around 2013 to describe classmates who were a beat behind on trends. It sat quietly in a friend group for years until a TikTok video explaining it went viral in 2021, followed by a New York Times story. It’s still one of the most-searched slang words in 2026.

Why it’s aimed at millennials

Every generation teases the one before it. Gen Z grew up watching millennials set the online style of the 2010s, so that’s the style they find dated now. Your generation probably did the same to your parents’ wood paneling and avocado-green appliances.

Here’s the reassuring part: Boomers mostly aren’t called cheugy. You’re not expected to keep up. Cheugy is the specific embarrassment of someone who was the trend and didn’t notice it moved on.

How it’s used

  • “That font is cheugy.”
  • “Is it cheugy to still wear these?”
  • “Okay that’s a little cheugy but I love it.”

People also say “cheug” for a person, though it’s less common.

Should you use it?

You can, mostly for laughs. Calling your own mason jar collection cheugy will make your grandkids laugh. Calling your millennial daughter’s decor cheugy, on the other hand, is joining the teenagers’ side in a fight she’s already losing. Choose wisely.

Your teenager’s other word for “average and unimpressive” is mid. And about that 😂: here’s why emoji use changes with age.