What does Ick mean?

Understanding the Gen Alpha Slang Word "Ick" can help parents and teachers integrate into youth culture and bridge the generation gap.

The Definition of Ick

Definition: Term used to refer to a sudden feeling of disgust or repulsion to a dating partner someone was previously attracted to..

Examples: "He gave me the ick."
"Ew, that was icky."

Variations: Icky

Origin: The term in reference to dating comes from the 1999 episode "Once in a Lifetime" from the TV Show Ally McBeal. In the episode, Ally refers to not being attracted to someone as "the ick." The reality show Love Island helped popularize the term, as several cast members would use the phrase. By the early 2020s the term became very popular on social media and as a result was profiled by mainstream media outlets.

Slang Words Starting with I

Ick

Alphabetical Index of Slang Words

Generation Alpha, or Gen Alpha, is the cohort that follows Generation Z. Researchers and popular media generally consider the early 2010s as the starting point for this generation, with the mid-2020s marking its conclusion. Generation Alpha is notable for being the first generation born entirely in the 21st century. By 2015, approximately 2.5 million individuals were born each week globally, and it is projected that Gen Alpha will reach nearly two billion in size by 2025.