15 Common Texting Abbreviations in English (and What They Mean)

Key takeaways

• English texting abbreviations are not a code but a set of conventions that have developed over SMS messaging and social media since the late 1990s. Knowing them is essential for understanding informal written English in digital contexts.
• Many abbreviations have moved beyond texting into spoken informal English: people say “LOL,” “OMG,” and “IDK” out loud in casual conversation, sometimes with ironic distance, sometimes sincerely.
• Register is the most important factor: these abbreviations are appropriate in casual digital messages, social media, and friendly emails. They are not appropriate in professional emails, cover letters, academic writing, or formal correspondence.
• Some abbreviations have shifted or expanded in meaning over time: LOL no longer always signals genuine laughter, and “TBH” can introduce an honest opinion or soften a critical one.

For English learners, texting and social media are often the first real exposure to informal native-speaker communication, and they are full of abbreviations that do not appear in textbooks. Missing them means misreading tone, missing jokes, and feeling excluded from casual digital conversation.

This guide covers 15 of the most common English texting abbreviations: what they mean, how they are used in real messages, and where the limits of their appropriate use lie.

Seeing these abbreviations in a list is not the same as knowing how they feel in real exchanges – the irony in a well-timed “lol,” the bluntness that “NGL” can soften, the difference between “TBH” as a compliment and as a complaint.

That tonal awareness comes from live interaction with a teacher who communicates naturally across registers. italki has matched 10M+ learners with teachers since 2007, making it possible to find English teachers who work across formal and informal registers and can demonstrate how these expressions actually land.

Find an English tutor who can run informal conversation sessions that include the kind of casual language that appears in real digital communication.

Laughter and reaction abbreviations

1. LOL (laughing out loud)

What it means: Originally “laughing out loud,” indicating something is funny. Over time the meaning has shifted: LOL is now often used to soften a statement, indicate mild amusement, or signal friendliness rather than actual laughter.

Example	Meaning
That was so unexpected lol	Mild amusement or surprise
I tripped over my own bag lol	Self-deprecating acknowledgement
I have no idea what I am doing lol	Softening anxiety or frustration

2. LMAO (laughing hard)

What it means: A stronger version of LOL, indicating something is very funny. More emphatic and genuinely indicates laughter. Note: Contains mild profanity in its full form; context-appropriate between friends, not in professional or formal digital spaces.

That video had me LMAO.

3. OMG (oh my god / oh my goodness)

What it means: Expresses surprise, shock, excitement, or disbelief. Has become largely neutral in terms of its religious origin and is used freely across many communities.

Example	Emotional tone
OMG I can not believe you did that	Shock/disbelief
OMG this restaurant is amazing	Enthusiastic approval
OMG I forgot completely	Alarm or self-reproach

4. SMH (shaking my head)

What it means: Expresses disappointment, disbelief, or mild disapproval, as if shaking your head at something.

They cancelled the event two hours before it started. SMH. He said he did not need to study. SMH.

Opinion and honesty abbreviations

5. TBH (to be honest)

What it means: Introduces a candid opinion or statement, often something the writer is saying more directly than usual. Can soften a critical point or signal that an honest admission is coming.

Example	Function
TBH I did not enjoy the film	Honest negative opinion
TBH I was nervous too	Honest admission
TBH you handled it well	Genuine compliment

6. NGL (not gonna lie)

What it means: Similar to TBH: signals that what follows is an honest statement, sometimes an uncomfortable or surprising one. Slightly more emphatic than TBH.

NGL, that was harder than I expected. NGL I was rooting for the other team. NGL this is one of the best things I have eaten.

7. IMO / IMHO (in my opinion / in my humble opinion)

What it means: Marks a statement as personal opinion rather than fact. IMHO adds a layer of mock modesty. Both are used to soften a strong opinion or acknowledge disagreement.

IMO the second season was better. IMHO they made the wrong decision, but it is their business.

An English teacher online can show how these abbreviations are used in real conversation exchanges, including the subtle difference in tone between TBH and NGL, which is the kind of nuance that reading a list does not fully convey. italki has 30,000+ teachers across 150+ languages, including qualified English teachers who engage with informal and contemporary language use.

Information and status abbreviations

8. BTW (by the way)

What it means: Introduces a related but secondary piece of information, similar to “also” or “incidentally.”

BTW I moved to a new apartment last month. BTW, the meeting has been moved to Thursday. The food was great, BTW.

BTW can appear at the start or end of a message or sentence.

9. FYI (for your information)

What it means: Signals that the following information is being shared so the recipient is aware of it, without requiring action. In professional contexts it can sound slightly formal or even passive-aggressive depending on tone.

FYI the deadline has been pushed back. FYI I already sent that file yesterday.

FYI is one of the few texting abbreviations that is also used in professional emails without being inappropriate, though it should be used carefully in sensitive contexts.

10. IDK (I don’t know)

What it means: Expresses uncertainty or lack of knowledge. One of the most frequently used and unambiguous abbreviations.

IDK what time it starts, check the website. Should I take the job? IDK, it is a big decision. IDK why he said that.

11. IRL (in real life)

What it means: Refers to the physical, offline world as distinct from online or virtual contexts. Often used to contrast online and offline experiences.

We have been chatting online for months but never met IRL. IRL she is much taller than her photos suggest. That character is terrifying in the game but IRL they seem nice.

Conversation and farewell abbreviations

12. BRB (be right back)

What it means: Signals a short pause in a conversation, indicating the person will return shortly.

BRB, someone is at the door. BRB need to take this call.

Less commonly used now that most messaging apps show typing indicators, but still widely understood.

13. TTYL (talk to you later)

What it means: A casual farewell, indicating the conversation is ending for now.

Got to run, TTYL. Nice catching up. TTYL.

Nostalgia and time abbreviations

14. TBT (throwback Thursday)

What it means: Used on social media (originally specifically on Thursdays) when sharing old photos or memories. TBT is a hashtag convention that has become a phrase.

TBT to that summer road trip three years ago. Happy TBT, here is a photo from my first year of university.

15. ASAP (as soon as possible)

What it means: Requesting or indicating urgency. ASAP is widely used across informal and professional contexts, one of the few abbreviations that appears regularly in business emails.

Can you send that ASAP? I need the report ASAP. She will get back to you ASAP.

Unlike most texting abbreviations, ASAP is fully acceptable in professional communication.

Register guide: when to use and when not to

Abbreviation	Casual messages	Professional email	Formal writing
LOL	Yes	No	No
LMAO	Yes	No	No
OMG	Yes	No	No
SMH	Yes	No	No
TBH	Yes	Rarely	No
NGL	Yes	No	No
IMO / IMHO	Yes	Rarely	No
BTW	Yes	Informally	No
FYI	Yes	Yes	No
IDK	Yes	No	No
IRL	Yes	Rarely	No
BRB	Messaging only	No	No
TTYL	Messaging only	No	No
TBT	Social media	No	No
ASAP	Yes	Yes	Rarely

For other informal English expressions that appear in natural speech, the guide to phrasal verbs with “get” covers high-frequency conversational constructions that pair naturally with these abbreviations in everyday communication.

Learning informal English in context

The most reliable way to learn how these abbreviations work is to see them in real conversations: in social media comments, group chats, and informal messages from native speakers. A teacher who communicates naturally and uses informal language appropriately in sessions helps learners develop the intuition for when each abbreviation fits.

italki has English teachers who work across formal and informal registers, helping learners understand the language that native speakers actually use rather than just the language in textbooks. Book a trial lesson and ask the teacher to explain the tone and context of informal expressions that have come up in real messages or social media.

FAQ

Are texting abbreviations used in spoken English?

Some are, particularly LOL, OMG, and IDK, which people genuinely say out loud in casual conversation. Others (BRB, TTYL) are specific to digital messaging and would sound odd if spoken. TBH and NGL are also heard in casual speech.

Is it unprofessional to use abbreviations in work messages?

In most professional contexts, yes. Instant messaging within a close team may tolerate some informal language, but client communication, formal emails, and anything that might be forwarded should avoid texting abbreviations. ASAP and FYI are exceptions, they are widely used in professional emails.

What is the difference between TBH and NGL?

Both introduce an honest statement, but NGL has a slightly stronger emphasis on candor, often implying the speaker is saying something they might not usually admit. TBH is softer and more neutral. In practice, the two are often used interchangeably.

Does LOL still mean laughing out loud?

Not necessarily. Research into real usage shows that LOL is often used to signal friendliness, soften a statement, or indicate light tone rather than actual laughter. Genuine laughter is more likely to be expressed with LMAO or multiple letters (lolllll, lololol).

Are these abbreviations the same in British and American English?

Most are shared across English varieties. FYI, BTW, LOL, OMG, and ASAP are used internationally. TBT is more common in American social media usage. IMHO is slightly more common in British and older internet communities. The core list is largely universal.