At some point in time, you’ve likely received a text with an acronym, abbreviation or slang term that left you confused. Maybe you’re well-versed in a few common text acronyms like “lol” or “OMG” but not so familiar with internet speak like “Sus” or “Tea,” which are phrases that eventually become text slang.
Whether you’re fluent in text lingo or can’t tell the difference between “IDC” and “IDK”, it can be exhausting keeping up with the inundation of texting acronyms and abbreviations that frequently make their way into the text messaging lexicon.
To help you out, we’ve put together a list of 110 terms for you to keep handy the next time a head-scratching text comes your way. Think of it as a text abbreviations cheat sheet. We’ve also handpicked several popular text phrases and created examples showing how to use them.
If you’re a business that texts with customers, we include a few tips on how to use texting acronyms and the like in your communications toward the bottom of this post.
110 texting acronyms, texting abbreviations and texting slang
- AFAIK: As far as I know
- AKA: Also known as
- AMA: Ask me anything
- AMAA: Ask me almost anything
- ASAP: As soon as possible
- ATM: At the moment
- Bae: Before anyone else
- B4N: Bye for now
- BBL: Be back later
- BC or B/C: Because
- BDAY: Birthday
- BFF: Best friends forever
- Bestie: a best friend or term of endearment
- BRB: Be right back
- BTW: By the way
Example:
The Crown is such a good show, btw. Highly recommend.
- COB: Close of business
- CYA: See ya
- CYT: See you tomorrow
- DAE: Does any else
- DIKY: Do I know you?
- DIY: Do it yourself
- DM: Direct message
- EOD: End of day
- F2F: Face to face
- Finna: going to, intending to
- FOMO: Fear of missing out
- FTFY: Fixed that for you
- FTW: For the win
- FWIW: For what it’s worth
- FYI: For your information
- G2G: Got to go
- GR8: Great
- HBU: How about you?
- HIFW: How I feel when
- HMU: Hit me up
- HTH: Hope this helps
- ICYMI: In case you missed it
- IDC: I don’t care
- IDK: I don’t know
- IFYP: I feel your pain
- IG: Instagram
- IIRC: If I recall correctly
- IKR: I know, right
- ILY: I love you
- IMO: In my opinion
- IMHO: In my humble/honest opinion
- IRL: In real life
Example:
Have you ever seen a moose IRL? THEY’RE GIANT!
- ISTG: I swear to god
- IYKYK: If you know you know
- JIC: Just in case
- JK: Just kidding
- JSYK: Just so you know
- KMN: Kill me know
- LMK: Let me know
Example:
LMK if you’re free this weekend to hang out. It looks like it should be warm and sunny.
- LOL: Laughing out loud
- MFW: My face when
- MRW: My reaction when
- MSG: Message
- NBD: No big deal
- NGL: Not gonna lie
- NP: No problem
- NTH: Nice to have
- NVM: Nevermind
- OFC: Of course
- OMG: Oh my god/gosh
- OML: Oh my lord
- OMW: On my way
- OOO: Out of office
Auto-reply text message example:
Hi there. Thanks for your text. I’m currently OOO and will return on Monday, May 10. I’ll be sure to reply to your text when I’m back. If you need to get in touch sooner, please call or text my colleague Holly Nelson at 555-123-4567.
- OOTD: Outfit of the day
- OTOH: On the other hand
- PNL: Peace & love
- POV: Point of view
- PPL: People
- QAP: Quick as possible
- QOTD: Quote of the day
- RN: Right now
- ROFL: Rolling on floor laughing
- SFLR: Sorry for late reply
- SMH: Shaking my head
- SNMP: So not my problem
- SO: Significant other
Promotional text example for retail:
Need a last-minute Christmas gift for your S.O. or bestie? Our entire sale section is an extra 20% off today only! Shop here: www.website.com.
- SRSLY: Seriously
- Sus: Suspicious
- TBA: To be announced
- TBC: To be continued
- TBD: To be determined or to be decided
- TBF: To be frank
- TBH: To be honest
- Tea: Gossip, drama
Example:
Ok, but how did the phone call go? What’s the tea?!
- TFW: That feeling when
- TGIF: Thank goodness/god it’s Friday
- THX: Thanks
- TIA: Thanks in advance
- TIL: Today I learned
- TL;DR: Too long, don’t/didn’t read
- TMI: Too much information
- TTP: To the point
- TTYL: Talk to you later
- TY: Thank you
- TYT: Take your time
- V: Very
- WDYM: What do you mean?
- WFH: Work from home
- W/O: Without
- WYWH: Wish you were here
- Yeet: To throw something or used as an exclamation
- YGTI: You get the idea
- YMMV: Your mileage may vary
- YOLO: You only live once
- YP: Yes please
Using texting acronyms and texting abbreviations with customers
If your business uses text messaging with customers, here’s a quick overview of how texting acronyms can fit into your communications.
Know your audience
In a recent text-generation survey, participants—whose ages ranged from baby boomers to Generation Z—were asked about how often they use acronyms like “LOL” or “BTW” in text messages.
While a majority of Gen Z (62%), Millennials (56%) and Gen X (48%) use acronyms at least once a day, only 26% of Baby Boomers do the same.
While the survey question aimed to understand how often people across age groups use texting acronyms in general, businesses can still take note. Consider pulling back on using texting acronyms with your customers or clients if they fall into the baby boomer category. They don’t use acronyms in their everyday conversations with friends and family, so it’s likely they won’t want to use them with your business.
Use texting abbreviations and acronyms with SMS marketing
You may choose to not use abbreviations or acronyms in everyday, two-way conversations with customers if that’s not part of your brand, but texting lingo could make sense in your text message marketing.
Adding well-known, relevant text message abbreviations and acronyms could help you better relate to your audience and allow you to stand out from your competition. Keep the following in mind to avoid any blunders:
- Don’t force it. If there’s a text phrase you really want to use, but it doesn’t sound natural in your text message, don’t use it. And watch out for anything that could be outdated. Run it by your co-workers, ask a savvy friend or family member or do a quick online search to double-check.
- Use them sparingly. While they’re fun to use, adding too many short words for texting will confuse your recipient. Keep it light and stick to one or two at the most.
Want more texting for business resources?
Now that you’ve got a text lingo cheat sheet, become an expert in texting your customers with help from VIPTap. The following free content can help get you started.
The Beginners Text-to-Win SMS Contest Guide
The Psychology Behind Deals, Discounts & Specials
Six Ways To Write SMS Marketing Messages That Get Great Results