Xennial

or xen·ni·al

[ zen-ee-uhl, ek-sen‐ ]

noun

1. a person born between the late 1970s and early 1980s, especially in the United States; a member of the microgeneration between Generation X and Millennials.

adjective

1. of or relating to the generation born between the late 1970s and early 1980s, especially in the United States, seen as a microgeneration between Generation X and Millennials.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Xennial¹

(Generation) X ( def ) + (Mill)ennial ( def ); possibly coined by U.S. journalists Sarah Stankorb and Jed Oelbaum in their essay “Reasonable People Disagree about the Post-Gen X, Pre-Millennial Generation” (2014)

Example Sentences

It’s an abrupt about-face, which is kind of jarring, but as a Xennial who bore witness to Y2K’s relentless body shaming, I can attest, at least anecdotally, that Gen Z is truly an inspiration to older women everywhere in their unabashed embrace of all body sizes and their devil-may-care attitude toward which women are “allowed” to wear certain garments.

From New York Times

Now he’s entered midlife, like the rest of his Xennial cohort.

From Washington Post

The therapists have observed more members of the “xennial” microgeneration, those in their mid-30s to early 40s, seeking guidance as their fertility window narrows.

From Washington Post

And in the years since then, Davidman says she’s found herself busier than she’s ever been, as waves of 30- and 40-somethings — members of the “xennial” microgeneration, made up of the youngest members of Gen X and the oldest millennials — have realized that if they are going to make a choice about building a family, they should probably make it soon.

From Washington Post

“Xennial” someone suggested recently, and what that term lacks in clarity it also lacks in pronouncability.

From The Guardian