Gen X

noun

ˈjen-ˈeks

: generation x

Gen X managed to stretch adolescence beyond all previous limits: Its members started becoming adults earlier and finished becoming adults later.—

Jean M. Twenge

—often used before another noun

a Gen X celebrity

—often hyphenated in such use

… 'The Blair Witch Project,' a stealth blockbuster with clever Internet marketing and so much Gen-X appeal that it's spooking Hollywood.—

Newsweek

Gen Xer

ˈjen-ˈek-sər

noun

or Gen-Xer

plural Gen Xers or Gen-Xers

… only about 56 percent of high-school seniors in 2015 went out on dates; for Boomers and Gen Xers, the number was about 85 percent. —

Jean M. Twenge

Like many Gen-Xers, I remember childhood as an uncomplicated time when the only thing you had to worry about was being home by dark. —

Bethany Young Hardy

Examples of Gen X in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Millennials, those roughly 28 to 43 years old, are generally thought to be more averse to debt and better savers than earlier cohorts such as Gen X (44 to 59 years old) and baby boomers (60 to 78). —

Don Lee, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2024 In 2023, despite having far more assets, baby boomers had just $1.1 trillion in consumer debt, compared with $3.8 trillion for Gen X and millennials, according to Census data. —

Will Daniel, Fortune, 23 May 2024 Recent years have seen documentaries dedicated to Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Sesame Street, Reading Rainbow and many more Gen X and millennial youth touchstones. —

Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 May 2024 His Gen X snarkiness, honed on the ABC sitcom Two Guys and a Girl then refined in broad studio comedies, rocketed him to fame while also putting a certain distance between him and a prospective audience. —

A.a. Dowd, Rolling Stone, 17 May 2024 Data provided by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) suggests Gen Zs and Millennials prioritize brand recognition more than Gen X and Boomer pet owners. —

Sandra Barrera, Orange County Register, 16 May 2024 Just 9% of Gen X and only 5% of Boomers felt the same constant tipping obligation. ◾ When tipping in-store, a third of Gen Z (33%) and millennials (33%) always or often feel pressured or were made to feel guilty when tipping. —

Betty Lin-Fisher, USA TODAY, 7 May 2024 There’s a significant disconnect between Gen Z and millennials, Gen X, and boomers collectively regarding how the latter view Gen Z’s workplace values, priorities, stereotypes, and perceptions. —

Vicki Salemi, Fortune, 7 May 2024 In Phoenix, Mesa and Chandler, 12.6% of millionaire homeowners are Gen Z, 17.2% are Millennials, 35.5% are Gen X, 32.6% are Baby Boomers and 2.2% are Silent Generation owners. —

Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 25 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Gen X.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.