boomer
BOO-mer
/ˈbuː.mər/
A person born during a baby boom, especially the one following World War II (1946–1964).
Can be used neutrally as a demographic term or dismissively in the phrase 'OK Boomer' to suggest someone is out of touch.
The story behind the word. After World War II, soldiers returned home, and there was a massive spike in birth rates. This 'boom' in the population created a massive generation that has influenced culture and economics for decades.
Word relationships
- Baby Boomer: The full, more formal version of the term.
- millennial: Refers to the generation born much later (1981-1996).
Commonly confused with
- Gen X: Gen X is the 'sandwich' generation between boomers and millennials.
Word family
- boom (noun/verb): A period of rapid growth.
Collocations
- baby boomer
- boomer generation
- boomer wealth
Idioms & expressions
- OK Boomer
Example sentences
- "As the last boomer reaches retirement age, the healthcare system faces new challenges." Retirement trends.
- "The boomer generation grew up in a period of unprecedented economic expansion." Cultural commentary.
Memory hook
The population 'boomed' like a loud noise after the war. Boomers were born in the birth boom.
When not to use
In very formal academic writing, use 'Baby Boomer' instead of the shortened 'boomer'.
Fun facts
- The term 'Baby Boomer' first appeared in a 1963 article in the Newport News Daily Press.
Related words
Explore more words
geriatric, octogenarian, demographic, lifespan, Boom, behind the times
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