me generation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1informal, journalistic, socio-cultural commentary
Quick answer
What does “me generation” mean?
A nickname for the generation born after World War II, particularly in the 1960s and 1970s, perceived as characterized by self-involvement, self-gratification, and a focus on personal needs and desires.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A nickname for the generation born after World War II, particularly in the 1960s and 1970s, perceived as characterized by self-involvement, self-gratification, and a focus on personal needs and desires.
More broadly, any social cohort or time period perceived as dominated by individualistic, self-obsessed, and materialistic values at the expense of community or collective responsibility.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originated and is primarily used in American cultural commentary. It is understood in British English but less frequently employed in domestic analysis, where different generational labels (e.g., 'Thatcher's children') might be preferred.
Connotations
In both dialects, the connotations are negative, implying narcissism and social fragmentation. Its use often implies a contrast with a prior, more altruistic 'we generation'.
Frequency
Much more frequent in American English. In British English, it is often found in discussions importing American socio-cultural concepts.
Grammar
How to Use “me generation” in a Sentence
[Determiner] + me generation + [Verb: is/was/typifies/epitomizes]The + me generation + is/was + [Adjective: selfish/narcissistic/materialistic]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in critiques of corporate culture or marketing aimed at individualistic consumerism.
Academic
Used in sociology, cultural studies, and history papers to critique post-war Western social trends. Often placed in quotation marks to denote its status as a cultural label.
Everyday
Used in informal conversation, opinion pieces, and media commentary to critique perceived selfishness in society, often by older generations discussing younger ones or vice versa.
Technical
Not used in technical fields like engineering or medicine.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “me generation”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “me generation”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “me generation”
- Using it as a neutral synonym for 'Millennials' or 'Gen Z' (it's a specific critical term for an older cohort). Capitalizing it as a proper noun (it is usually not capitalized).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it primarily refers to the Baby Boomer generation, particularly as they were characterized in the 1970s. It is sometimes used for later generations perceived as similarly self-focused, but this is an extension of the original term.
No, it is an informal, journalistic label that carries strong pejorative connotations. Academics may use it critically or in quotation marks to discuss a cultural phenomenon, but it is not a precise demographic category.
The term is often attributed to American writer Tom Wolfe in the 1970s, though it was popularized by social commentators like Christopher Lasch in his 1979 book 'The Culture of Narcissism'.
It is often contrasted with the 'Greatest Generation' (those who lived through the Great Depression and fought in WWII), who are stereotypically viewed as more community-oriented and self-sacrificing.
A nickname for the generation born after World War II, particularly in the 1960s and 1970s, perceived as characterized by self-involvement, self-gratification, and a focus on personal needs and desires.
Me generation: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmiː dʒenəˈreɪʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmi ˌdʒenəˈreɪʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No direct idioms, but the phrase itself is idiomatic]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the 1970s slogan 'Looking out for #1' – the 'me' in 'me generation' is that number one, the self.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIETY IS A PERSON developing narcissistic personality disorder.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'me generation' most accurately used?