Millennial

What is a millennial?

A person born between 1981 and 1996

The generation of people born between 1981 and 1996 are commonly referred to as millennials. Sometimes also referred to as members of Generation Y, these people came of age around the turn of the millennium (aka the year 2000).

Millennials are the generation that grew up during the rise of the Internet and the introduction of social media and smart devices. As such, millennials are typically more online and tech-savvy than previous generations. (They are not, however, as online and tech-savvy as members of Generation Z.) As millennials grew to adulthood and began entering the workforce, they weathered both the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic, both of which hindered their economic advancement.

Because millennials hold different beliefs and do not have as much disposable income as previous generations, they are sometimes blamed for the "demise" of items that boomers considered to be cultural touchstones. Things millennials have "ruined" or "destroyed" include:

  • Applebee's
  • Fabric softener
  • Paper napkins
  • Workplace dress codes
  • Harley-Davidson motorcycles
  • Golf

Example

I still have no idea whether or not I'm a millennial
Honey, you eat way too much avocado toast to not be a millennial
One Twitter user's take on millennials
One Twitter user's take on millennials

Related Slang

Categories

Updated February 4, 2021

Millennial definition by Slang.net

This page explains what the slang term "Millennial" means. The definition, example, and related terms listed above have been written and compiled by the Slang.net team.

We are constantly updating our database with new slang terms, acronyms, and abbreviations. If you would like to suggest a term or an update to an existing one, please let us know!