Ever texted or received a text message with some abbreviations and wondered what they meant?
What does IK mean in texting abbreviations? What does MK mean? Or what does SMH mean in texting abbreviations?
It could be hard to catch all the abbreviations you and your friend use.
Don’t worry; you are NOT alone.
To help make your texting more enjoyable and meaningful, here is a full list of English text abbreviations and their meanings. It includes a list of the most popular texting abbreviations for business workers, chat abbreviations for teenagers, romantic text abbreviations for lovers, and more.
This list of text abbreviations is a great handy tool for communicating with your friends, family, coworkers, classmates, or even strangers. Don’t forget to bookmark this page so that you can check it whenever some text abbreviations confuse you.
What Do Text Abbreviations Mean?
Text abbreviations are words or phrases that are shortened to make it easier to communicate with others.
When texting, you can use text abbreviations instead of typing out each letter or word, which makes things faster and easier to read.
You can use abbreviations in your texts and messages, including acronyms and emoticons.
Why Do We Need To Abbreviate?
Texting is a great way to communicate quickly, especially when you’re busy! But who has time to type out long words and letters? That’s where texting abbreviations play a role.
Texting abbreviations are also helpful in expressing ideas when there isn’t enough room to use regular letters, as is often found in social media.
You might also use text abbreviations when writing on a smartphone because it’s challenging to type with one hand.
All Text Abbreviations
Texting abbreviations are getting increasingly popular worldwide with the growing number of mobile users. We always use abbreviations in texting, chats, and emails without even realizing it. And frankly, we would all benefit from being a bit more aware.
Some abbreviations, like LOL, are so common that they are known virtually everywhere, while others are much more regional.
Most Used Text Abbreviations List
Below are the most common text abbreviations.
LOL: laughing out loud
OMG: oh my god (or oh my gosh)
IMO: in my opinion
IMHO: in my humble opinion
BTW: by the way
IDK: I don’t know
LMK: let me know
TBH: to be honest
TGIF: thank goodness it’s Friday
ROFL: rolling on floor laughing
BRB: be right back
BBL: be back later
TTYL: talk to you later
THX: thanks
TY: thank you
YW: you’re welcome
ASAP: as soon as possible
POV: point of view
BYOB: bring your own beer
CU: see you
UR: you are
FYI: for your information
JMO: just my opinion
NVM: never mind
GL: good luck
FWIW: for what it’s worth
GBU: god bless you
ICYMI: in case you missed it
NBD: no big deal
OMW: on my way
DIY: do it yourself
AKA: also known as
PLZ: please
RUOK: are you okay
SPK: speak
SRY: sorry
SUP: what’s up
TTFN: ta ta for now
VN: very nice
Y?: why?
JK: Just kidding
BC: because
B4: before
IRL: in real life
TMI: too much information
ATM: at the moment
BFF: best friends forever
CYA: see ya
NP: no problem
TBF: to be frank
DKDC: don’t know, don’t care
IDC: I don’t care
K: okay
RN: right now
OTOH: on the other hand
SMH: shaking my head
100 Text Abbreviations
OTT: over the top
NE1: anyone
SMS: short message service
ABD: already been done
BOT: back on topic
BG: big grin
BFFN: best friend for now
AND: any day now
AAF: as a friend
GR8: great
BHL8: be home late
BBIAM: be back in a minute
ISO: in search of
ASL: age, sex, location
BN: bad news
IYKYK: if you know you know
ADR: address
SRSLY: seriously
IMNSHO: in my not-so-humble opinion
AAR: at any rate
GG: good game
CMB: call me back
4AO: for adults only
AYDY: are you done yet
CWYL: chat with you later
GOI: get over it
DUR: do you remember
AYMM: are you my mother
F2F or FTF: face to face
H8: hate
BFAW: best friend at work
JIC: just in case
BFD: big freaking deal
JW: just wondering
FISH: first in, still here
OG: original gangsters
TNTL: trying not to laugh
CYO: see you online
BBBG: bye bye be good
BYOC: bring your own computer
ZZZ: sleeping, bored, tired
DWBH: don’t worry, be happy
AAYF: as always, your friend
IFYP: I feel your pain
BAE: before anyone else
B4N: bye for now
TMRW: tomorrow
SERP: search engine results page
121: one-to-one
AMBW: all my best wishes
FITB: fill in the blank
2NITE: tonight
W/E: whatever
PPL: people
EF4T: effort
AYT: are you there
TIME: tears in my eyes
SSDD: same stuff, different day
J4F: just for fun
CMIIW: correct me if I’m wrong
FTL: for the loss
ABT: about
WYD: what are you doing
MMS: multimedia messaging service
ADIH: another day in hell
LMAO: laughing my a** off
NGL: not gonna lie
IKR: I know, right
AYSOS: are you stupid or something
BOL: be on later
TW: trigger warning
L8R: later
E1: everyone
SOV: share of voice
IYKWIM: if you know what I mean
CYE: check your email
BGWM: be gentle with me
EOD: end of discussion
BT: but
JSYK: just so you know
4EAE: forever and ever
2day: today
YGTR: you got that right
BRO: brother
DAE: does anyone else
SUS: suspicious
OATUS: on a totally unrelated subject
OMDB: over my dead body
GRATZ: congratulations
B@U: back at you
NTH: nice to have
YNK: you never know
2M2H: too much to handle
BCNU: be seeing you
GMTA: great minds think alike
WYSIWYG: what you see is what you get
OFC: of course
CWOT: complete waste of time
CUA: see you around
GTG/G2G: got to go
Popular Text Abbreviations (Part 1)
What are popular abbreviations for texting? The list below will help.
HW: homework
VAT: value-added tax
KISS: keep it simple, stupid
WKND: weekend
TYFYC: thank you for your comment
LTNS: long time no see
FYEO: for your eyes only
MM: Music Monday
FWB: friend with benefits
NTS: note to self
GAS: greetings and salutations
TFH: thread from hell
GBU: god bless you
NM: not much
HT: heard through
HMB: hit me back
WEG: wicked evil grin
HOAS: hold on a second
MGMT: management
SITD: still in the dark
WITP: what is the point
GA: go ahead
RYS: are you single
VSF: very sad face
TCB: take care of business
LI: LinkedIn
ADL: all day long
AEAE: and ever and ever
AFS: always, forever, and seriously
XLNT: excellent
MSM: mainstream media
SIS: sister
RAK: random act of kindness
HAGN: have a good night
YCMU: you crack me up
HAG1: have a good one
GTSY: great to see you
HAND: have a nice day
RTM: read the manual
YGM: you’ve got mail
LYLAS: love you like a sister
GRL: girl
GLHF: good luck, have fun
SOL: sooner or later
G4C: going for coffee
YWSYLS: you win some, you lose some
GAC: get a clue
SBY: somebody
RIP: rest in peace
OT: off-topic
NOYB: none of your business
STBY: sucks to be you
OTB: off to bed
TIAD: tomorrow is another day
AAMOI: as a matter of interest
ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
AFL: Australian Football League
DFTBA: don’t forget to be awesome
Popular Text Abbreviations (Part 2)
FYK: for your knowledge
AOD: all of day
NBT: nothing but trouble
NF: not funny
STY: same to you
DMI: don’t mention it
PBQ: please be quiet
TTO: time to own
NNTO: no need to open
TBU: to be updated
OY: oh yeah
TC: take care
FYA: for your amusement
FYM: free your mind
GOOML: get out of my life
IAU: I adore you
VC: voice chat
WAL: what a loser
APN: as per normal
PBP: please be patient
AISB: as I said before
LIG: let it go
ICAY: I care about you
LML: love my life
WAS: wait and see
NBSB: no boyfriend since birth
WR: warm regards
BDOML: best day of my life
FYE: for your entertainment
NW: no way
AJ: apple juice
TBT: truth be told
NBTW: now back to work
GJ: good job
NTK: need to know
AIO: all in one
NMF: not my fault
PA: personal assistant
TBYS: think before you speak
AI: artificial intelligence
TBSS: too bad, so sad
NDI: neither do I
NC: no comment
AIYC: as if you care
YTO: you’re the one
OTR: on the run
PAYG: pay as you go
LHYW: like hell you will
AIGF: all in good fun
WPM: words per minute
Funny Texting Abbreviations
ADAD: another day, another dollar
.02: my (or your) two cents worth
2EZ: too easy
AAP: always a pleasure
BTDT: been there, done that
^5: high five
@TEOTD: at the end of the day
BYTM: better you than me
1NAM: one in a million
NC: Netflix and chill
Romantic Text Abbreviations
There are so many ways to express your love through text messages. These days, a simple “I love you” doesn’t suffice. Instead, we want to say more with less.
Here are some of the most popular text abbreviations for romantic messages.
ILY: I love you
PDA: public display of affection
WCW: Woman Crush Wednesday
DTR: define the relationship
BAE: before anyone else
OTP: one true pairing
LOML: love of my life
XOXO: hugs and kisses
YOLO: you only live once
TLC: tender loving care
FIMH: forever in my heart
IMU: I miss you
AML: all my love
FTBOMH: from the bottom of my heart
LYSM: love you so much
L&R: love and respect
LDR: long-distance relationship
GF: girlfriend
MCM: Man Crush Monday
LTR: longterm relationship
BF: boyfriend
SO: significant other
MU: miss you
HBD: happy birthday
BSAAW: big smile and a wink
WYWH: wish you were here
BCOY: big crush on you
ISLY: I still love you
SWAK: sent with a kiss
1432: I love you too
143: I love you
KOTL: kiss on the lips
Teenage texting Abbreviations
Texting has become the primary means of communication among teenagers. According to Pew Research Center, texts are now their most common form of communication, and one in three teens sends more than 100 texts per day, or 3000 texts a month.
Here are some abbreviations you should know so that you can have a better understanding of what your peer is saying.
PM: private message
SOML: story of my life
RLRT: real-life retweet
PRT: please retweet
FB: Facebook
WTPA: where the party at
BWL: bursting with laughter
TBT: Throwback Thursday
C4N: ciao for now
IM: instant message
TIL: today I learned
DM: direct message
RT: retweet
YT: YouTube
*s*: smile
GIAR: give it a rest
DWI: deal with it
GGOH: gotta get outa here
ADED: all day every day
FOMO: fear of missing out
OP: original post
QOTD: quote of the day
FF: Follow Friday
IG: Instagram
QQ: crying
ELI5: explain like I’m 5
TMB: tweet me back
AMA: ask me anything
CSL: can’t stop laughing
SMP: social media platform
FBF: Flashback Friday
OOTD: outfit of the day
C&G: chuckle & grin
*w*: wink
GOML: get on my level
CB: coffee break
GGMSOT: gotta get me some of that
ABFAB: absolutely fabulous
Chat Text Abbreviations
WYCM: will you call me
KIT: keep in touch
MC: Merry Christmas
PCM: please call me
PTMM: please tell me more
IU2U: it’s up to you
WUF: where are you from
MBN: must be nice
PMF: pardon my French
LWO: love won out
SWYP: so what’s your problem
WB: welcome back
TFS: thanks for sharing
TFTI: thanks for the invitation
SIMYC: sorry I missed your call
LOL: lots of love
LOTI: laughing on the inside
NM: not much
MEGO: my eyes glaze over
Business Text Abbreviations
Using the correct abbreviations is important if you’re texting in a business setting. Some abbreviations are common across all industries, while others are specific to certain business areas.
WFH: work from home
AFK: away from keyboard
FYI: for your information
T&C: terms and conditions
FAQ: frequently asked questions
VFM: value for money
OOO: out of office
BOGO: buy one, get one
WYGAM: when you get a minute
FTFY: fixed that for you
BTS: behind the scenes
B2C: business to consumer
TBD: to be determined
TBC: to be confirmed
WDYT: what do you think
TIA: thanks in advance
TBA: to be announced
DND: do not disturb
W/O: without
TLDR: too long, didn’t read
WIP: work in progress
IANAL: I am not a lawyer
AFAIR: as far as I remember
AFAIC: as far as I’m concerned
FAWC: for anyone who cares
OH: overheard
NSFL: not safe for life
SFW: safe for work
GRAS: generally recognized as safe
OC: original content
GAHOY: get a hold of yourself
BUMP: bring up my post
DBMIB: Don’t bother me. I’m busy
BBIAS: be back in a sec
UX: user experience
RCS: rich communication services
CPC: cost per click
CR: conversion rate
ISP: internet service provider
FTP: file transfer protocol
CPA: cost per acquisition/action
PPL: pay per lead
PPV: pay per view
CPL: cost per lead
PR: page rank
CPM: cost per thousand or cost per mile
API: application program interface
KPI: key performance indicator
CLV: customer lifetime value
VPN: virtual private network
ATTN: attention
MTD: month to date
MOM: month over month
FTE: full-time employee
POC: point of contact
QA: quality assurance
AEAP: as early as possible
AWOL: absent without leave
BIB: boss is back
ABC: acceptable business casual
C&P: copy and paste
MYOB: mind your own business
OTP: one-time password
ETA: estimated time of arrival
EMBM: early morning business meeting
ROI: return on investment
BOGOF: buy one, get one free
N/A: not applicable or not available
B2B: business to business
CTA: call to action
LMGTFY: let me Google that for you
HTH: hope this helps
NSFW: not safe for work
COB: close of business
EOD: end of day
CTR: click-through rate
TBD: to be decided
UGC: user-generated content
DSC: dedicated short code
TYVM: thank you very much
YMMV: your mileage may vary
IIRC: if I remember correctly
AFAICT: as far as I can tell
AAMOF: as a matter of fact
CS: career suicide
DWH: during work hours
NAGI: not a good idea
RBTL: read between the lines
AYOR: at your own risk
E123: easy as one, two, three
PTB: please text back
NFS: not for sale
GFN: gone for now
SMB: small/medium business
TOS: terms of service
SEO: search engine optimization
TCPA: telephone consumer protection act
CX: customer experience
GA: Google Analytics
PV: pageviews
CPV: cost per view
RFI: request for information
CRM: customer relationship management
SEM: search engine marketing
CRO: conversion rate optimization
CSS: cascading style sheets
LTV: lifetime value
CMS: content management system
PPC: pay per click
YTD: year to date
PTE: part-time employee
SME: subject matter expert
PTO: paid time off
YOY: year over year
OS: operating system
Re: referring to
ACK: acknowledge
AYEC: at your earliest convenience
BAU: business as usual
Sarcastic Text Abbreviations
TFW: that feeling when
MFW: my face when
MFW: my feeling when
HIFW: how I feel when
MRW: my reaction when
Abbreviations For Texting
WTF: what the f***
STFU: shut the **** up
SNAFU: situation normal, all f*** up
SH: sh** happens
SOL: sh** out of luck
4Q f*** you
AF: as f**k
BIH: b*tch
FBOI: F*** boy
IDGAF: I don’t give a f***
FUBAR: f*** up beyond all recognition
WTH: what the heck
QTC: quick to cum
TDTM: talk dirty to me
FML: f*** my life
PITA: pain in the a**
DTF: down to f***
GTFO: get the f*** out
Texting Abbreviations Parents Should Know
Texting Abbreviations is not just exclusive to teenagers. Adults are also using this abbreviated language, which can be confusing for parents who are not familiar with texting lingo.
Here are some of the most common texting abbreviations that parents need to know.
IWSN: I want sex now
PAH: parent at home
420: marijuana
GNOC: get naked on camera
ORLY: oh, really
LMIRL: let’s meet in real life
RU/18: are you over 18
J/O: jerking off
MMK: mmm…okay
YKTV: you know the vibe
DOC: drug of choice
ALAP: as late as possible
PAW: parents are watching
1174: nude club
FOAF: friend of a friend
RUH: are you horny
SLT: something like that
P&C: private and confidential
MOSS: member(s) of the same sex
NGH: not gonna happen
NMU: not much, you
8: oral sex
11:11: make a wish
MOS: mom over shoulder
LH6: let’s have sex
182: I hate you
YSI: you stupid idiot
FINSTA: fake Instagram account
DYHAB/G: do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend
GYPO: get your pants off
WTTP: want to trade pictures
AITR: adult in the room
RUMORF: are you male or female
KMS/KYS: kill myself/kill yourself
NIFOC: nude in front of a computer
%\: hangover
MPFB: my personal f*** buddy
#-): exhausted, partied all night
XOXOZZZ: hugs, kisses, sweet dreams
KPC: keeping parents clueless
SOBT: stressed out big time
?^: want to hook up
CID: crying in disgrace
PBB: parent behind back
KFY: kiss for you
LSR: loser
CICYHW: can I copy your homework
S2R: send to receive
GAL: get a life
POS: parent over shoulder
PAL: parents are listening
CUNS: see you in school
SOS: someone over shoulder
W00T: hooray
303: mom
ITA/D: I totally agree/disagree
FIMH: forever in my heart
NSA: no strings attached
BYAM: between you and me
99: parent gone
DADT: don’t ask, don’t tell
N00B: newbie
YWIMC: your wish is my command
1174: the meeting place for a party
Text Abbreviations For Seniors
HGBM: had good bowel movement
LMDO: laughing my dentures out
WTF: wet the furniture
WIWYA: when I was your age
TOT: texting on toilet
FYI: for your indigestion
FWIW: forgot where I was
BTW: bring the wheelchair
OMG: ouch, my groin
WAITT: who am I talking to
TTML: talk to me louder
RULKM: are you leaving kids money
JK: just kvetching
OMG: oy, my grandchildren
CBM: covered by medicare
CUATSC: see you at the senior center
GGP: gotta go pee
FYI: found your insulin
OMMR: on my massage recliner
BFF: best friend fell
IMHO: is my hearing-aid on
BMH: broke my hip
ROFL… CGU: rolling on the floor laughing… and can’t get up
GOML: get off my lawn
MGAD: my grandson’s a doctor
BYOT: bring your own teeth
DWI: driving while incontinent
SUS: speak up, Sonny
ATD: at the doctor’s
TGIF: thank goodness it’s four (four o’clock—early bird special)
TTYL: talk to you louder
MILF: meal I’d like to forget
GTG: gotta groan
FTE: false teeth escaped
GHA: got heartburn again
GGLKI: gotta go, laxative kicking in
WWNO: walker wheels need oil
How To Use Text Abbreviations
Abbreviations are an essential part of texting but can also be confusing and misleading. The best text abbreviations are ones that your audience will understand, so it’s important to use them correctly.
Here are a few tips for sending text messages that everyone will understand:
1) Use standard abbreviations sparingly.
2) Don’t use too many different abbreviations in one text message, as your message will be hard to understand. Sticking with common text abbreviations like “LOL” or “BTW” is fine, but don’t go overboard with text slang that only your closest friends would understand.
3) Avoid using slang or abbreviated words in formal situations.
While texting can be casual, remember that it’s not always appropriate for work-related communications. Stay away from using abbreviations that are too informal or casual. It probably won’t work well in a business context if it feels weird when you read it aloud.
Also, avoid using emoticons when communicating business information or asking about work-related tasks; these may seem friendly in person but might come across as unprofessional through text messages.
4) If you want to add a little personality or emotion to your texts, consider adding emojis or GIFs. They can make your text stand out from the crowd. However, these shouldn’t be used in professional emails or other formal correspondence because they can be misinterpreted by recipients who aren’t familiar with them (or have different interpretations).
Final Thoughts On Text Abbreviations
Whether you are an office worker, a student, or perhaps even just another social media user, there’s a high chance that you, just like me, come across text abbreviations on a daily basis, whether you realize it or not.
Now that you know a lot about the abbreviations listed above, it’s time to put that knowledge to good use.
Or, the next time someone sends you a text, and it seems like they’re trying to speak an unknown language, simply whip out your handy-dandy list and decode their abbreviations in no time.
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Want to take your English to the next level? Check out my other posts on vocabulary, idioms, and grammar.
