millennial
mi-LEN-ee-ul
/mɪˈlen.i.əl/
A person reaching young adulthood in the early 21st century (typically born between 1981 and 1996).
Often used colloquially to mean 'young person,' though the oldest millennials are now in their 40s.
The story behind the word. The term was coined by authors William Strauss and Neil Howe in 1987. They chose it because the oldest members of this group would be graduating high school in the year 2000—the turn of the millennium.
Word relationships
- Gen Y: Gen Y is the alternative sociological label for the same group.
- boomer: Refers to the generation born two cycles prior (post-WWII).
Commonly confused with
- Gen Z: Gen Z follows millennials and grew up with smartphones from birth.
Word family
- millennium (noun): A period of a thousand years.
Collocations
- millennial generation
- older millennial
- millennial values
Example sentences
- "The millennial generation is often credited with pushing for better work-life balance." Workplace article.
- "Many millennial homeowners are entering the market later than previous generations." Economic analysis.
Memory hook
Millennials were the 'New Year's' babies of the 2000 millennium. Millennials met the new millennium.
When not to use
Don't use it for teenagers today; they are Gen Z.
Fun facts
- Millennials are the first 'digital natives,' having grown up as the internet became mainstream.
Explore more words
millennium, demographic, precocious, juvenile, contemporary, adolescent
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