100+ Text Acronyms, Abbreviations and Slang You Need to Know

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

  1. AFAIK: As far as I know
  2. AKA: Also known as
  3. AMA: Ask me anything
  4. AMAA: Ask me almost anything
  5. ASAP: As soon as possible
  6. ATM: At the moment
  7. Bae: Before anyone else
  8. B4N: Bye for now
  9. BBL: Be back later
  10. BC or B/C: Because
  11. BDAY: Birthday
  12. BFF: Best friends forever
  13. Bestie: a best friend or term of endearment
  14. BRB: Be right back
  15. BTW: By the way

Example:

The Crown is such a good show, btw. Highly recommend.

  1. COB: Close of business
  2. CYA: See ya
  3. CYT: See you tomorrow
  4. DAE: Does any else
  5. DIKY: Do I know you?
  6. DIY: Do it yourself
  7. DM: Direct message
  8. EOD: End of day
  9. F2F: Face to face
  10. Finna: going to, intending to
  11. FOMO: Fear of missing out
  12. FTFY: Fixed that for you
  13. FTW: For the win
  14. FWIW: For what it’s worth
  15. FYI: For your information
  16. G2G: Got to go
  17. GR8: Great
  18. HBU: How about you?
  19. HIFW: How I feel when
  20. HMU: Hit me up
  21. HTH: Hope this helps
  22. ICYMI: In case you missed it
  23. IDC: I don’t care
  24. IDK: I don’t know
  25. IFYP: I feel your pain
  26. IG: Instagram
  27. IIRC: If I recall correctly
  28. IKR: I know, right
  29. ILY: I love you
  30. IMO: In my opinion
  31. IMHO: In my humble/honest opinion
  32. IRL: In real life

Example:

Have you ever seen a moose IRL? THEY’RE GIANT!

  1. ISTG: I swear to god
  2. IYKYK: If you know you know
  3. JIC: Just in case
  4. JK: Just kidding
  5. JSYK: Just so you know
  6. KMN: Kill me know
  7. LMK: Let me know

Example:

LMK if you’re free this weekend to hang out. It looks like it should be warm and sunny.

  1. LOL: Laughing out loud
  2. MFW: My face when
  3. MRW: My reaction when
  4. MSG: Message
  5. NBD: No big deal
  6. NGL: Not gonna lie
  7. NP: No problem
  8. NTH: Nice to have
  9. NVM: Nevermind
  10. OFC: Of course
  11. OMG: Oh my god/gosh
  12. OML: Oh my lord
  13. OMW: On my way
  14. 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.

  1. OOTD: Outfit of the day
  2. OTOH: On the other hand
  3. PNL: Peace & love
  4. POV: Point of view
  5. PPL: People
  6. QAP: Quick as possible
  7. QOTD: Quote of the day
  8. RN: Right now
  9. ROFL: Rolling on floor laughing
  10. SFLR: Sorry for late reply
  11. SMH: Shaking my head
  12. SNMP: So not my problem
  13. 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.

  1. SRSLY: Seriously
  2. Sus: Suspicious
  3. TBA: To be announced
  4. TBC: To be continued
  5. TBD: To be determined or to be decided
  6. TBF: To be frank
  7. TBH: To be honest
  8. Tea: Gossip, drama

Example:

Ok, but how did the phone call go? What’s the tea?!

  1. TFW: That feeling when
  2. TGIF: Thank goodness/god it’s Friday
  3. THX: Thanks
  4. TIA: Thanks in advance
  5. TIL: Today I learned
  6. TL;DR: Too long, don’t/didn’t read
  7. TMI: Too much information
  8. TTP: To the point
  9. TTYL: Talk to you later
  10. TY: Thank you
  11. TYT: Take your time
  12. V: Very
  13. WDYM: What do you mean?
  14. WFH: Work from home
  15. W/O: Without
  16. WYWH: Wish you were here
  17. Yeet: To throw something or used as an exclamation
  18. YGTI: You get the idea
  19. YMMV: Your mileage may vary
  20. YOLO: You only live once
  21. 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

 

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