cook

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Pronunciation: /kʊk/

In Gen Z slang, cook means to perform exceptionally well or to excel at something. The phrase “let him cook implies giving someone the space to showcase their skills.

Example Sentence(s):

“Watch him work his magic—let him cook.”
“She really cooked her presentation today.”

Origin: Originally used in sports and gaming contexts, cook was adopted by online communities in the mid-2010s as a compliment for outstanding performance.

Related Words:

  • excel
  • slay
  • rock

Usage: Informal—commonly used in casual conversation and on social media.

Popularity Level: Moderately popular among Gen Z.

First Known Use: Mid-2010s.

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