noun
Common
Gen
jehn
Gen (noun) means informal British slang for information or facts. Example: “What's the gen on the new office move?”
noun
1
Informal British slang for information or facts.
"What's the gen on the new office move?"
2
A generation, as in a group of people born within a similar period.
"Gen Z grew up with smartphones."
verb
1
To automatically produce something, especially with software.
"The script gens a new report every morning."
How to use Gen
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishShort for "generation," or British slang for useful information.
When to use it
Very informal in both senses.
Common pairings
Gen Z
Gen X
what's the gen
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Word forms
- Plural
- Gens
- Third person singular
- gens
- Past tense
- genned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
What's the _____ on the new office move?
Etymology
Shortened from "generation."
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “Gen” mean?
The word “Gen” means informal British slang for information or facts. In plain terms, short for "generation," or British slang for useful information.
How do you pronounce “Gen”?
“Gen” is pronounced jehn (/d͡ʒɛn/ in IPA).
How do you use “Gen” in a sentence?
Here is “Gen” used in a sentence: “What's the gen on the new office move?”
What part of speech is “Gen”?
Depending on how it is used, “Gen” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “Gen” a common word?
“Gen” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Gen” have?
“Gen” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: informal British slang for information or facts.
What is the difference between the two meanings of 'gen'?
In British slang, 'gen' means information or facts, as in 'give me the gen.' Separately, 'gen' can be short for 'generation,' as in 'Gen Z.' Context makes clear which sense is intended.
Is 'gen' formal or informal?
'Gen' is informal in both its senses. The 'information' meaning is British slang best kept to casual speech, and 'gen' as short for generation is a conversational abbreviation rather than a formal term.
How do you use 'the gen' to mean information?
In British English, 'the gen' means the essential facts or details about something, as in 'What's the gen on the new manager?' It is casual and typically used in speech among people who know one another.
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