millennial
millennial — adjective
- millennialpositive
- more millennialcomparative
- most millennialsuperlative
1. having to do with an interval of one thousand years, especially the events and c
having to do with an interval of one thousand years, especially the events and celebrations that took place when the year 2000 began.
The museum opened a special exhibit to mark the millennial celebrations in the capital.
attributive: millennial + celebrations
Scientists used ice-core samples to study millennial shifts in the Earth's average temperature.
attributive: millennial + shifts (scientific context)
A stone monument was erected for the millennial anniversary of the temple's original construction.
Local newspapers published special editions to cover the millennial festivities across the region.
- thousand-year
more literal; less common in general English
- millenarian
has strong religious connotations of a future golden age; not a direct synonym in most contexts
文法句型
millennial + noun
用法筆記
This sense is common in historical, geological, and ceremonial writing. Do not confuse with sense 2 (the generation meaning) — the two meanings are unrelated.
2. describing those who entered the world in the years spanning from the early 1980
describing those who entered the world in the years spanning from the early 1980s to the mid-1990s, roughly 1981 to 1996 — the cohort that reached young adulthood around the turn of the century.
Diya's parents are both millennial professionals who started their careers during the internet boom.
attributive: millennial + professionals
The travel agency launched a new service designed for millennial backpackers visiting Southeast Asia.
Many millennial workers say flexible hours matter more than a large corner office.
Harper and Niran are both millennial, so they remember life before smartphones became everywhere.
- Gen Y
alternative label for the same generation; more common in business and demographic writing
- born in the 80s/90s
descriptive phrase rather than a single-word synonym; less formal
- baby boomer
the generation born approximately 1946–1964, often contrasted with millennials
- Gen X
the generation born approximately 1965–1980, immediately before millennials
文法句型
millennial + noun
be + millennial
用法筆記
The exact birth-year range varies by source (some start at 1980, others at 1982). The end date is most commonly given as 1996. In informal use, the term may refer broadly to anyone who was a young adult in the early 2000s.
常見錯誤
millennial — noun
- millennialsingular
- millennialsplural
1. a member of the generation born roughly between 1981 and 1996, who became an adu
a member of the generation born roughly between 1981 and 1996, who became an adult around the start of the 2000s.
Minho, a millennial, grew up with dial-up internet before switching to broadband.
countable: a + millennial
As a millennial, Antonia values family time more than a big promotion.
Tariq and Noa, both millennials, opened a small bakery after spending years in office jobs.
A recent survey found that most millennials prefer to rent homes rather than buy them.
- Gen Y-er
informal alternative; less common in formal writing
- member of Gen Y
more formal and explicit
- boomer
informal short form of baby boomer; often used in generational contrasts
文法句型
a + millennial
millennials + verb (plural)
用法筆記
Like the adjective sense 2, the birth-year range is approximate and may shift depending on the source. The plural form 'millennials' is very common in news articles and discussions about generational trends.