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The Gen Z and Gen Alpha terms "sigma" and "sigma male" explained

You’ve probably seen people on TikTok or Twitter/X use the word “sigma,” but it’s not totally clear what they mean. In a nutshell, it just means someone who’s “cool” and also a little different, but it’s a word with history and nuance, so we’re here to fill you in. We’ll tell you more about “sigma,” how to use it, where it came from, and other Gen Z and Gen Alpha slang words you should know.

Sigma Meaning on Social Media

“Sigma” is slang for someone who’s cool, but who plays by their own rules. They’re rebellious and independent, but also popular and successful. Originally, it referred to “sigma males,” or desirable men who ignore social standards or conventions.

Steps

Sigma Slang Meaning

“Sigma” describes someone who’s cool without trying. The word comes from the idea of a sigma male, which is someone who goes against the flow, or who plays by their own rules while still dominating the game. It’s a spin on alpha male theory, which is a theory that claims that some men are dominant “alphas.”^[1]
- According to the theory, alpha males are leaders of the “pack,” while sigma males are equals who do things their own way.
- Example: “He dresses however he wants and still gets dates. He’s a total sigma.”
- Example: “Brad might be the alpha of the group, but Chad is the sigma.”
“Sigma” is slang for “cool” or “best.” Sigma can be used to describe more than just a cool guy. Something that's "sigma" is different, neat, or better than others. You can use to talk about pretty much anything.
- Example: “I aced that test without studying. I guess I’m just that sigma.”
- Example: “Your car is so sigma. It’s like the sickest car I’ve ever seen.”
Sigma is also often used ironically or nonsensically. As the word found the mainstream and caught its fair share of parody and criticism, it’s also taken on an ironic or sometimes downright silly meaning, used to make fun of the concept of “sigma males” and to make new and silly phrases for fun.^[2]
- Example: “That wasn’t very sigma of you.”
- Example: “Rizzing up the gyatt like a skibidi sigma!”

Using “Sigma”

Use “sigma” to describe someone or something that’s cool. Sigma means something like “cool,” but there’s a little extra flavor to it—it’s cool and different. Someone who’s a sigma is charismatic and a free thinker. Something that’s sigma is unusual and appealing.
- Example: “He always leaves the party so early because he’s such a sigma. He doesn’t care what people think.”
- Example: “I never study, but I always pass. Guess I’m just a sigma or something.”
Use “sigma” as a joke. The truth is, many people who use the term “sigma” aren’t being 100% serious. Often, it’s associated with “brainrot,” which is when someone spends so much time online that their vocab and behavior become total nonsense. Other times, people use the term to make fun of the very concept of “alphas” or “sigmas.”
- A TikTok video showing Squidward from SpongeBob SquarePants seemingly saying “Erm, what the sigma?” went viral and increased the popularity of this phrase.

History of “Sigma”

“Sigma” refers to pseudo-scientific personality types. The term was coined by far-right writer Vox Day in 2010. Day said that “sigma males” are outsiders who don’t care about the “social game,” but who win it anyway. He used “sigma” as an alternative to “alpha male,” or the dominant or most popular male in the group.^[3]
- The concept of “alphas” is based on a myth that wolf packs have an "alpha" or leader of the pack.^[4]
- The concept of “sigma males” was adopted by popular “pickup artists” and masculinity influencers on YouTube, boosting its popularity.
Sigma entered the mainstream around 2021. Twitter/X user @LilySimpson1312 posted a few screenshots of Sigma YouTube videos and expressed confusion and exasperation. The tweet went viral, rocketing “sigma” into the mainstream, when it began to appear elsewhere online, like in TikToks, where it’s been used both sincerely and ironically.^[5]
- Since, many different “sigma” memes have taken shape and spread, like the tongue-in-cheek “sigma grindset,” which parodies unhealthy productivity standards.

Other Gen Z & Gen Alpha Slang Terms

Brainrot{endbold} Brainrot describes a general deterioration in vocabulary or even behavior as a result of too much social media. More casually, it’s used to describe a general type of online slang that borders on total insanity.
- Example: “I need to get off the internet, it’s giving me brainrot. I keep saying things like ‘skibidi rizzler.’ I don’t even know what that means.”
Rizz{endbold} Rizz is short for “charisma,” and describes someone’s dating or flirting game or ability to charm other people.
- Example: “Of course I got his number, he couldn’t resist my rizz.”
Standing on business{endbold} A phrase popularized by musical artist Drake, this means to keep your word, follow through, or make good on your intentions.^[6]
- Example: “It’s time to stand on business and show up for my friends.”
[Blank]-coded{endbold} This is a slang suffix that’s used to mean that something gives off certain vibes or associations.^[7]
- Example: “My boyfriend is so silly and warm. He’s puppy-coded.”
Motion{endbold} To “have motion” means to be productive or successful, or to earn money. It’s a versatile term that often means “to make moves.”
- Example: “Big things are happening for me right now. I got motion.”
Ohio memes{endbold} Ohio memes are a genre of joke that pokes fun at Ohio by suggesting it’s a place where bizarre, apocalyptic, or surreal things happen. People often caption wild or incredible videos with “Only in Ohio.”
- Example: “They say a flying saucer touched down last night. Tch, only in Ohio…”
Skibidi{endbold} Skibidi is a nonsense word that originated from a series of animated shorts on YouTube titled “Skibidi Toilet,” which feature heads emerging from toilets which plot world domination. It doesn’t mean anything in particular.
- Example: “Watch out, or the skibidi rizzler will get you!”