The abbreviation OMG, short for “oh my God” (or any similar expression), has a history that predates texting by far. The Oxford English Dictionary traces its earliest recorded use back to a letter written in 1917! Nowadays, it’s commonly seen in sentences like “OMG, can you believe how hot it is today?!” It serves as a versatile exclamation or reaction in various contexts.

IDK, or “I don’t know,” could be considered the central theme of this article, as it directly translates to the uncertainty one might have felt about these text abbreviations before learning their meanings. The next time you receive a text from your child asking about the whereabouts of their favorite shirt, a fitting response might be “IDK, ask your mother/father/sibling.”

JK, short for “just kidding,” is used to signify that you’re joking, but it should be employed with caution. Adding “JK!!!” after posting a cutting backhanded compliment doesn’t effectively soften the impact, so it’s important to ensure your audience shares your sense of humor. This abbreviation is frequently combined with another: “JK, LOL,” a dismissive and occasionally self-deprecating pairing of texting abbreviations. For instance, “I aced my math test today!!! JK LOL, it was rough.”

When you use the abbreviation ROFL, you’re probably not actually “rolling on the floor laughing,” but it still conveys a stronger sense of amusement than “LOL.” Typically, it’s a standalone response to something funny. Feel free to add exclamation points and laugh/crying face emojis as you see fit!

YOLO, an abbreviation for “you only live once,” serves as a call to live life to the fullest, particularly within the realm of social media. Whether it’s indulging in pizza instead of a salad or trying bungee jumping for the first time, YOLO encourages embracing experiences without hesitation. It can inspire others to take similar actions or commemorate your own adventures. While YOLO surged in popularity around the early 2010s, today it’s often used with a touch of sarcasm, or even more pronounced irony, rather than complete earnestness.

“Hit me up” might initially seem to imply physical violence, but it simply means “contact me” or “call me.” Its origins trace back to the era of pagers in the 1990s when people exchanged phone numbers through one-way messages. When someone sent their number, the pager would light up or make noise, indicating that you’d been “hit up.” The phrase was prominent in ’90s hip-hop culture and endured into the texting era, with the abbreviated form “HMU” becoming prevalent in the late 2000s. Although pagers are no longer in use, the abbreviation persists.

In the realm of texting, the abbreviation “BC” doesn’t denote the era “before Christ.” Rather, it’s shorthand for “because.” Frequently, such texting abbreviations aren’t capitalized. For example, you might encounter a message like “Wanted to see how you were doing bc I haven’t heard from you in a while.”

THX may evoke memories of the intense, loud movie intros from the ’80s and ’90s featuring the THX Ltd. logo. However, in texting, it simply stands for “thanks,” with the “X” symbolizing the sound at the end of the word. Even more prevalent than THX is “TY” or “ty,” meaning “thank you.” Additionally, “TYSM” or “tysm” (“thank you so much”) is also frequently used.

The common response to “ty,” YW or “yw,” translates to “you’re welcome.” Similarly, NP or “np” indicates “no problem.” Interestingly, NP can serve as a response to both gratitude and apologies. For instance, “Sorry, but I’m going to be a few minutes late tonight!” “NP.”

You’ve likely encountered this abbreviation frequently online and in text messages, but what does it mean? Well, wonder no more: It’s shorthand for “no big deal.” It’s among the most commonly used text abbreviations and can be inserted into various contexts. You can employ it sincerely, such as saying “Don’t worry about being a few minutes late, it’s NBD!” Alternatively, it can be used less earnestly. For instance, if someone cancels on your party, you can respond with “NBD”—even if you’re inwardly annoyed. Whether you’re well-versed in texting abbreviations or not, do you know how to utilize these iPhone hacks?

BTW, short for “by the way,” is a term commonly used both in text and spoken conversation to introduce a new topic. For example, “BTW, I saw you went to the beach yesterday—it looked amazing!!” When spoken aloud, some might say “B-T-dubbs” for brevity. After all, if you’re going to abbreviate, why not go all the way? “W” is a three-syllable letter—just as long as the entire original phrase!

This abbreviation translates to “let me know,” and it proves handy in various scenarios for prompting or delegating a task to someone else. For instance, when organizing a group event and one person is unsure of their availability, you can simply instruct them, “LMK when you know,” and hopefully, they’ll provide an update when they can.

ILY or “ily” stands for “I love you.” This abbreviation is quite casual, so it’s advisable to refrain from using it to express love for the first time, or even the second or third time, to your significant other in this manner. Depending on your grandma’s familiarity with texting abbreviations, it might be best to avoid texting her “ILY.” However, it’s perfectly acceptable to sign off with “ILY” to a long-time significant other, close friend, or family member you frequently text. As a more informal variation, you might also encounter “LY” or “ly.” Make sure to familiarize yourself with the meanings of heart emojis before composing your next affectionate message.

If you’re running late for dinner because you’re still blow-drying your hair, a suitable text to your significant other might be something like “OMW, see you soon.” “OMW” stands for “on my way” and is frequently used even when you’re not quite en route yet, but will be shortly.

Two words, three letters: NVM is an abbreviation for “never mind.” You’d utilize it similarly to the phrase in real life. For instance, “What was that restaurant we went to last week???” followed by “*five minutes later* NVM, I found it!”

This abbreviation is particularly valuable as it often fosters relationships. It stands for “in real life,” distinguishing between interactions in person versus online or over the phone. It’s perfect for expressing sentiments like “Would love to see you soon IRL!” Just ensure you’re not engaging in any irritating texting behaviors when you respond with this.

Who has time to type out “estimated time of arrival”?! Indeed, you’ll often hear this abbreviation spoken aloud as well. You’re just as likely to hear “Looking forward to seeing you tonight, what’s your ETA?” spoken as you are to see it in a text.

This abbreviation is widely used beyond just texting. When was the last time you heard someone say all three words: “too much information”? If your friend-of-a-friend shares every detail of their bout of food poisoning on social media, the succinct three-letter response “TMI!” conveys it all. Another common usage, both online and in person, is when someone prefaces a story with “This might be TMI, but…” to warn listeners and perhaps prepare them for something more graphic than what follows.

FR is shorthand for “for real.” It’s handy for expressing agreement or emphasizing the sincerity and authenticity of a statement you’re making. For instance, if someone texts you “I really loved that movie!” you could reply with “FR, I think it’s the best movie out right now. I loved the action scenes!”

YNK is an abbreviation for “you never know.” It’s an excellent way to encourage friends and family to explore new opportunities or take risks! YNK signifies that the outcome is uncertain, but it could potentially lead to something fantastic. For instance, if a friend is contemplating leaving their job, you could text them “YNK—you could find your dream job!” to inspire them to pursue new possibilities.

GOAT, typically preceded by “the,” stands for “greatest of all time.” This acronym has gained widespread usage on social media and can be employed to commend a friend (“Did you see Michelle’s fitness routine? She’s the GOAT!”) or a prominent figure in a specific field (“Saw the GOAT himself, John Williams, conduct an orchestra last night!”). By the way, while most of these are texting abbreviations or initialisms, GOAT is a texting acronym. So, what’s the distinction between an abbreviation, acronym, and initialism?

An abbreviation is a shortened form of a word or phrase. An acronym is an abbreviation formed from the initial letters of a phrase and pronounced as a word (like NASA or UNESCO). An initialism is an abbreviation consisting of initial letters pronounced separately (like FBI or CEO). In the case of GOAT, it’s an acronym because it’s pronounced as a single word, rather than each letter being pronounced individually.

If you come across someone posting a humorous image of a cat lounging with sunglasses, captioned with something like “TFW you’re off work for a long weekend,” it’s one of the amusing text abbreviations people are utilizing nowadays. TFW translates to “that feeling when,” and it’s frequently employed in conjunction with visual images that depict someone’s emotions, such as work-from-home memes. You can try using it with a smiling selfie, like “TFW dinner came out even better than I imagined.”

“Sliding into his/her DMs” refers to initiating a private conversation through direct messaging on social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram. “DM” stands for “direct message.” Unlike texting, DMs are more associated with social media platforms where users can communicate privately. This term often implies a flirtatious or romantic intent, as it suggests taking the conversation out of the more public space. Additionally, “DM” can also function as a verb, as in “DM me to learn more about texting abbreviations.”

FOMO stands for “fear of missing out.” It describes the sensation one experiences when seeing others, particularly close friends, engaging in enjoyable activities while unable to join. While “#FOMO” may sometimes be used humorously on social media posts depicting such scenarios, it’s also acknowledged as a genuine concern in our social media-driven era, affecting mental health for some individuals.

This abbreviation might have puzzled you on Facebook or Instagram, but it’s quite handy to have in text messages, as it simply means “in case you missed it.” It’s useful for sharing photos after the fact, such as a picture from a relative’s wedding that you forgot to post on the day of, or a family photo from years ago. Consider uploading a recent photo of a significant life event with the hashtag “#ICYMI.” Additionally, it’s commonly used in the caption or subject of “old” news stories or emails (read: from a day ago). Feel free to learn more about how to use ICYMI.

FTW stands for “for the win” and serves as a slangy, enthusiastic way of celebrating something through social media commentary. It doesn’t necessarily have to denote winning; it can simply highlight a triumphant or successful moment. For example, if you’re taking your first SCUBA lesson and post a photo of a successful dive, you might caption it “Diving lessons FTW!” Additionally, you can use it in subtler situations, such as when your friend shuts down a trollish commenter, by declaring “[friend’s name] FTW!”

“TLDR” stands for “too long, didn’t read” and is a common response to verbose or lengthy opinion pieces. The next time your co-worker shares a lengthy status about the condition of her daily reports, you might comment “TLDR, but I hope you get it all done!” Writers often anticipate “TLDR” as well. In more formal or journalistic writing, or in lengthy social media posts, you may encounter “TLDR” (often formatted as TL;DR) followed by a brief summary, allowing quick readers to grasp the main points. Additionally, speedy readers might also appreciate the significance of the latest texting abbreviation, “s/u.”

GRWM stands for “get ready with me.” It’s a popular abbreviation used on platforms like TikTok and Instagram reels, often accompanying a video where someone shares their preparation process. This can include going through their morning routine, such as workouts, showers, and skincare, or getting dressed, doing their hair, and applying makeup for a special event.

FWIW, which stands for “for what it’s worth,” is indeed one of the more tactful yet still assertive text abbreviations. It serves as a gentle way to preface a strong opinion or suggestion. For example, you might say “FWIW, I never liked your boyfriend anyway.” It’s a polite way to express your perspective while acknowledging that it may not carry the same weight for the recipient. Feel free to explore more about how to effectively use FWIW.

TBH, short for “to be honest,” is indeed the counterpart of FWIW, providing another way to diplomatically (or not-so-diplomatically) introduce a candid or potentially offensive opinion. It’s commonly used in situations where honesty is valued, such as when responding to a family group chat about dinner plans. For instance, you might say, “TBH, tuna casserole is not my fave.” However, it’s worth noting that while text abbreviations like TBH may soften the delivery, they might not entirely mitigate the impact of the opinion.

SMH stands for “shaking my head,” which perfectly encapsulates the reaction many of us have when scrolling through our social media feeds, particularly when encountering contentious political rants from distant relatives. FWIW, it’s often used with a hint of condescension and may not always convey kindness. When using SMH, it’s essential to consider your audience carefully. For instance, if your cousin uploads a muffin-baking video that deviates from Grandma’s recipe, you might comment “You’re not supposed to put that much baking powder in the bowl—SMH,” assuming your cousin is the type to take such feedback in stride.

IIRC stands for “if I recall correctly,” serving as the social media equivalent of providing evidence or receipts. While it can come across as slightly argumentative, it’s useful in situations where you need to assert a memory or fact. For example, you might say, “IIRC, you promised me much more. Here’s a screenshot to prove it.” It’s a handy abbreviation for ensuring clarity and accuracy in discussions.

TNTL stands for “trying not to laugh.” You might use this comment if somebody shares a funny story about an embarrassing blunder, or you could employ it on a post that takes itself too seriously, to the point of being laughable. However, it’s crucial to use this abbreviation with caution, as it could offend some people if used inappropriately.

Another abbreviation that might make the recipient brace themselves is IMO, which stands for “in my opinion.” The strength or controversy of the opinion can vary greatly. You can use this abbreviation innocuously in debates about pop culture, such as “IMO, Thanos’s plan was better in Infinity War than in Endgame.” IMHO is a variation, meaning “in my humble opinion.” With the addition of almost-always-sarcastic humility, IMHO is usually a little edgier. Now that you’re familiar with these text abbreviations, it’s also important to brush up on proper texting etiquette.