27 Texting Abbreviations: What They Are, Why They Exist, and How to Use Them (2024)

Texting has now been around for over 25 years and it’s estimated that 8 trillion text messages are sent globally every year. Like it or not, texting abbreviations (like the ubiquitous “LOL”) are very commonly used in messages—and not knowing their meaning can at best cause confusion and at worst get you in trouble.

And by the way, the correct terminology is “texting abbreviations”—you may have also seen “text abbreviations,” but this vaguer term is incorrect.

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Why abbreviate?

In the olden days before “unlimited talk and text” data plans, text messages were expensive to send and receive, and because they were limited to 160 characters per message, every character was precious.

Texting using a standard telephone keypad was also a laborious process, requiring multiple key presses per character. So mobile phone users adapted to clunky keypads and character limits by abbreviating common words and phrases.

As texting became popular, a new language of acronyms and texting abbreviations evolved and became embedded in texting and internet culture. Despite our smartphones having full keyboards, texting abbreviations are still convenient shortcuts and remain a staple in communications worldwide.

Read on for our essential list of common texting abbreviations so you don’t make the mistake of sending an “LOL” when “my deepest condolences” is the appropriate response.

1BC

BC: Because

Tacos for lunch bc it’s Tuesday!

2BTW

BTW: By the way

BTW I ate your plums in the fridge. So sweet, so cold!

Your new blog post is going viral on Twitter btw.

3CYA

CYA: See ya

“C” is often used as a stand-in for “see,” such as “CYT” (“see you tomorrow”) and “CU” (“see you”).

Great chat! Gotta study for my final now. CYA

4DM

DM: Direct message

On social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram, a “direct message” is a private message that only the recipient can access, rather than a post that’s publicly visible.

Thanks for responding to my “roommate wanted” ad. DM me for more info and photos of the room.

The phrase “sliding into her/his/their DMs” (which has inspired many memes) typically refers to an admirer sending a bold or suave direct message to a stranger in order to spark a flirtation.

Btw I just read this guy’s essay on the Oxford comma. Swoon! Am sliding into his DMs.

5FTW

FTW: For the win

The exact origins of this phrase are debated—Hollywood Squares, rugby, and World of Warcraft have all been cited as popularizing it. It’s typically used as a rallying cry or as an exclamation of celebration, sometimes ironically.

Almost finished with my final class project. One more late night ftw!

Big client meeting this afternoon and my lunch explodes all over my white blouse. Tacos FTW.

6FWIW

FWIW: For what it’s worth

Hey FWIW just want to say you’re an amazing writer.

7IDK

IDK: I don’t know

Similar abbreviations include “DK” (“don’t know”) and “IDC” (“I don’t care”).

IDK what you mean, and IDC. Acronyms FTW.

Why does no one know what IDK means?

8ILY

ILY: I love you

Thanks for bringing me pizza today! ILY

ILY bae! Sweet dreams.

9IMO

IMO: in my opinion

“IMHO” (“in my humble opinion”) is another common variation.

IMO that rug really tied the room together.

10IRL

IRL: In real life

This phrase is typically used to differentiate between online (or media) personas, and how things are in reality.

Did you know Jon Snow and Ygritte are married IRL?

It looks big in photos, but irl the Mona Lisa is tiny.

11JK

JK: Just kidding

You might genuinely use this texting abbreviation while joking around, but it’s also frequently used to indicate sarcasm.

Just finished my novel!

  1. 60,000 more words to go…

12LMK

LMK: Let me know

Hey, LMK if you want pizza or tacos for dinner tonight.

13LOL

LOL: Laughing out loud

Occasionally mistaken for “Lots Of Love,” LOL is one of the most widely known texting abbreviations and has been around for almost 30 years.

Originally it was used in texting and chatting to communicate that you found something so funny that you were literally moved to laughter. Over time LOL has evolved from its original meaning and is now typically used to signal that you’re amused or even just tracking with what the other person is saying (like a virtual nod).

Me: Been waiting 30 minutes for my train, but I’m so into this novel I didn’t notice it was late!

Debbie: LOL

Wondered why my mac n’ cheese was bland, then realized I forgot to add the cheese packet. LOL

14NBD

NBD: No big deal

Can be used to genuinely say that something isn’t that important, but can also be used to downplay a brag or sarcastically to show what a big deal something actually is.

I’d like the mango mochi ice cream, but nbd if they only have strawberry.

Chatted with Neil Gaiman for 10 minutes at a book signing and by some miracle did not make a fool of myself. NBD

15NP

NP: No problem

NP that you’re running late, I just left the house too.

16NSFW

NSFW: Not safe for work

Here’s the link to the music video, but wait till you get home to watch, it’s NSFW.

17NVM

NVM: Nevermind

Can you buy more ketchup?

Oh nvm, just found the bottle in the door.

18OMG

OMG: Oh my God

A popular and long-used abbreviation, the Oxford English Dictionary has traced usage of “OMG” back to the early 1900s, but this exclamation didn’t come into common use on the internet until the 1990s.

OMG this bookstore is having a huge sale! Let’s hope there’s also a bookshelf sale…

19OTOH

OTOH: On the other hand

This phrase is used to compare the two sides of an argument.

It’s midnight, I’m tired, and I should probably go to bed. OTOH I have unlimited popcorn and three more seasons of Game of Thrones to watch!

20OMW

OMW: On my way

Feel free to grab a table, I’m OMW.

21ROFL

ROFL: Rolling on floor laughing

This acronym is typically used when responding to something especially funny—so funny that “LOL” and “LMAO” are not enough to convey how hilarious you think it is.

My friend just asked when the “Winds of Winter” release date is. ROFL

22SO

SO: Significant other

I’d love to get together for a game night! I’ll check the calendar with my SO and get back to you.

23TBH

TBH: To be honest

This phrase is used to indicate that you’re expressing your true opinion.

I am not a fan of jello. It’s way too wiggly, TBH

24THX

THX: Thanks

Can you send me the link to the event page? THX

THX for bringing donuts for our team!

25TMI

TMI: Too much information

Usually used when someone reveals information that is shocking or unpleasant in some way.

I just learned how hotdogs are made. TMI

26TTYL

TTYL: Talk to you later

Similar variations include “TTYT” (“talk to you tomorrow”) and “TTFN (“ta-ta for now”).

Gotta sign off now. TTYL

27YOLO

YOLO: You only live once

Life is short, so why not live it up? Seize the day. Step outside of your comfort zone. Take risks. Do what’s exciting, silly, fun, or even a little dangerous.

Splurged on tickets and am heading to Comic-Con! YOLO

Ordering the extra extra spicy wings against my better judgement. YOLO

27 Texting Abbreviations: What They Are, Why They Exist, and How to Use Them (2024)

FAQs

27 Texting Abbreviations: What They Are, Why They Exist, and How to Use Them? ›

Text abbreviations are shortened versions of a word or phrase used. The abbreviations and acronyms are used to save time, avoid typing and ensure a social media post stays within a certain character limit.

Why do text abbreviations exist? ›

Text abbreviations are shortened versions of a word or phrase used. The abbreviations and acronyms are used to save time, avoid typing and ensure a social media post stays within a certain character limit.

What is the main purpose of abbreviations? ›

An abbreviation is a shortened form of a written word or phrase. Abbreviations may be used to save space and time, to avoid repetition of long words and phrases, or simply to conform to conventional usage.

What are some useful abbreviations you use in your messages when and how do you use this in your conversations? ›

Here are some of the most common texting abbreviations:
  1. LOL: Laugh out loud.
  2. BRB: Be right back.
  3. OMG: Oh my God.
  4. ASAP: As soon as possible.
  5. BTW: By the way.
  6. IDK: I don't know.
  7. TTYL: Talk to you later.
  8. LMK: Let me know.
Mar 29, 2023

How do you use abbreviations in text? ›

Abbreviations should only be used if the organization or term appears two or more times in the text. Spell out the full term at its first mention, indicate its abbreviation in parenthesis and use the abbreviation from then on, with the exception of acronyms that would be familiar to most readers, such as MCC and USAID.

What does >>> mean in chat? ›

It's a symbol meant to convey an extra level of intensity beyond a regular exclamation point or other punctuation marks. For example: "I'm so excited for the concert tonight >>>"

What does :) mean in text? ›

In a text message or online communication, ":)" typically represents a smiley face. It's used to convey happiness, friendliness, or a positive tone in a message. The colon ":" represents the eyes, and the ")" represents the mouth turned up into a smiling expression.

Is LOL an abbreviation? ›

Lol is an acronym of laugh out loud. It can be used as an interjection and a verb. Lol is one of the most common slang terms in electronic communications. Even though it means laugh out loud, lol is mostly used to indicate smiling or slight amusem*nt.

Is KFC an acronym or abbreviation? ›

· 1y. KFC is an abbreviation. It's not a wordlike series of letters, has no vowel, and is not pronounce as “kifc” An acronym is similar, but is an attempt to create a new word, such as NATO.

Why do people use so many abbreviations? ›

Abbreviations were once intended to serve the audience by shortening long phrases. However, abbreviations have proliferated so much in government writing that they constantly require the reader to look back to earlier pages, or to consult an appendix, to puzzle out what's being said.

How do you use the abbreviation example? ›

E.g. stands for “exempli gratia,” meaning “for example,” and is used to provide specific examples that fall under a more general category. I.e. stands for “id est,” meaning “that is,” and is used to clarify or rephrase a statement to make it more precise or specific.

What is the short code for I Love You? ›

Well, the number 143 is the code for saying "I love you". The number 14344 is a numeronym representing the number of letters in each word of the phrase "I love you very much." "I love you very much" is also abbreviated as ILYVM. There are several other numbers in cyber terms that are used to express love.

What is an example of a text abbreviation? ›

TTYL – Talk to you later: I've got to run, TTYL. OMW – On my way: I've just left, OMW now! SMH/SMDH – Shaking my head/shaking my darn head: I can't believe you just said that, SMH. LOL – Laugh out loud: That's so funny, LOL!

How do abbreviations work? ›

Abbreviations are shortened forms of words; acronyms are abbreviations formed by using the first letter of each word to form a pronounceable word. Contractions are also abbreviations formed by using an apostrophe to show omitted letters or numbers. (Contractions are used only in informal writing.)

What are the top 20 abbreviations for students? ›

Top common English abbreviations
EnglishWhat it stands forPronunciation
TGIFThank god it's Fridaythank god its fry-day
IMOIn my opinioneen my oh-pee-nee-ohn
IMHOIn my humble opinioneen my hum-boll oh-pee-nee-ohn
N/ANot availablenot ah-vay-luh-bull
24 more rows
Feb 15, 2023

Can I use IE in an essay? ›

Using the first letter of each abbreviation, the trick is to remember “i.e.” = “in other words.” and “e.g.” = “example.” Both “i.e.” and “e.g.” are useful in academic writing when used correctly. The popularity of the abbreviations likely relates to how fancy they look when placed in a text.

Where did text abbreviations come from? ›

Texting abbreviations initially started because SMS messages were limited to 160 characters. Texters had to conserve their character counts and started looking for ways to limit the amount of text they put in every message.

When did text abbreviations become popular? ›

Short Message Service (SMS) language, textism, or textese is the abbreviated language and slang commonly used in the late 1990s and early 2000s with mobile phone text messaging, and occasionally through Internet-based communication such as email and instant messaging.

Why do Americans use so many abbreviations? ›

Clarity: Acronyms and initialisms can help avoid confusion or misinterpretation. They often represent terms or phrases that are lengthy or complex, and using their abbreviated forms can make communication more concise and precise.

Do people still use text abbreviations? ›

Like culture, text-ese evolves over time. As a result, new acronyms and SMS abbreviations are introduced and used every day. There are a few of our favorites that you can be confident most people will know.

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