Girlboss

Definition:

Used originally to describe ambitious female entrepreneurs and leaders, and has since evolved into various ironic phrases as well

Context:

The term gained prominence through Sophia Amoruso's 2014 memoir "#Girlboss," championing female empowerment in business and resonating strongly with millennial audiences. Around 2020-2021, internet culture and Gen-Z reimagined the phrase with playful irony, creating popular variations like "gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss" (spoofing "live, laugh, love") and "girlbossed too close to the sun" (describing ambitious plans that humorously backfire).

"Girlboss" now exists in a unique space where it can be used both sincerely or with a touch of irony, often as a lighthearted way to describe any ambitious undertaking or achievement. Depending on context, some even view the term critically, seeing it either as a satire of corporate culture or as promoting a narrow definition of female success.

Example:

^{(all names & events in the
following scenario have been made
up)}

Nikohl: “I accidentally said yes to leading 3 projects at work and now all their deadlines are happening at once!”😭

Trena: “Oof, you definitely girlbossed too close the sun”