millennial: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
HighNeutral to formal in demographic contexts; widely used in media, business, and casual conversation.
Quick answer
What does “millennial” mean?
A person born between the early 1980s and the late 1990s/early 2000s, reaching young adulthood in the early 21st century.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person born between the early 1980s and the late 1990s/early 2000s, reaching young adulthood in the early 21st century.
Relating to the generation of millennials, their characteristics, or the time period marked by the new millennium. Can also refer more broadly to a period of one thousand years.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The demographic definition is universal. The original 'thousand-year' adjective might be slightly more common in formal/religious British writing, but this is marginal.
Connotations
In both varieties, the term often carries media-driven connotations about the generation's tech-savviness, values, and economic challenges. These connotations are more cultural than regional.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both UK and US media, business, and social discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “millennial” in a Sentence
The [adjective] millennialMillennials who/that [clause]As a millennial, [sentence]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “millennial” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A (not standard verb)
American English
- N/A (not standard verb)
adverb
British English
- N/A (not standard adverb)
American English
- N/A (not standard adverb)
adjective
British English
- The company's strategy focuses on millennial spending habits.
- The cathedral underwent millennial restoration work.
American English
- They launched a millennial-focused media platform.
- The prophecy spoke of a millennial kingdom.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to a key consumer demographic and employee cohort, e.g., 'marketing to millennials'.
Academic
Used in sociology, demography, and marketing studies to define a generational cohort.
Everyday
Common in discussions about generational differences, housing, technology, and work culture.
Technical
In demography, a precisely defined birth-year range (e.g., 1981-1996). In computing/religion, retains the 'thousand-year' meaning.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “millennial”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “millennial”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “millennial”
- Using 'millennial' as a synonym for 'young person' (Gen Z is different).
- Spelling: 'milenial' or 'millenial' (correct is double 'l', double 'n').
- Confusing the adjectival form with 'millenary'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no universal agreement, but common ranges are early 1980s to mid-1990s or early 2000s (e.g., 1981-1996).
Not inherently. It is a neutral demographic label, though media stereotypes can attach positive or negative connotations to it.
Generation Z (Gen Z), typically defined as those born from the mid-to-late 1990s to the early 2010s.
Yes, e.g., 'millennial values' (relating to the generation) or 'millennial anniversary' (relating to a thousand years). Context is key.
A person born between the early 1980s and the late 1990s/early 2000s, reaching young adulthood in the early 21st century.
Millennial is usually neutral to formal in demographic contexts; widely used in media, business, and casual conversation. in register.
Millennial: in British English it is pronounced /mɪˈlɛnɪəl/, and in American English it is pronounced /məˈlɛniəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Millennial burnout”
- “Millennial pink”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the MILLENNIUM (year 2000) – millennials came of age around that turning point.
Conceptual Metaphor
GENERATION IS A COHORT (a group moving through time together).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the primary contemporary meaning of 'millennial'?