93 Common Texting Abbreviations

These are some of the most common abbreviations used in text and instant messaging

Last Updated: 3 Jun 2025

Many abbreviations used in texting and instant messages are useful time savers, but only if one is familiar with the meanings of these clusters of initials. Here is a list of some of the most common abbreviations, along with simple definitions.

Common Text Abbreviations

2nite

: tonight
AFAIC

: as far as I’m concerned
AFAIK

: as far as I know
AFK

: away from keyboard
AKA

: also known as
ASAP

: as soon as possible
ATM

: at the moment
B4

: before
B4N

: bye for now
BBL

: be back later
BC

: because
BRB

: be right back
BTW

: by the way
CU

: see you
CYA

: see ya
DKDC

: don’t know and don’t care
DIY

: do it yourself
DM

: direct message
DW

: dear wife
EOD

: end of day
ETA

: estimated time of arrival
FAQ

: frequently asked questions
FTW

: for the win —used especially to express approval or support
FWIW

: for what it’s worth
GF

: girlfriend
GG

: good game (especially used at end of a competitive video game)
GOAT

: greatest of all time
GR8

: great
HMU

: hit me up (get in contact with me)
ICYMI

: in case you missed it (used to draw attention to something published or posted online earlier)
IDC

: I don’t care
IDK

: I don’t know
IG

: Instagram
IGHT

: I got high tonight
IIRC

: if I recall correctly
IKR

: I know, right?
ILY

: I love you
IMHO

: in my humble opinion
IMO

: in my opinion
IRL

: in real life
ISTG

: I swear to god
JK

: just kidding
JMO

: just my opinion
K

: okay
KK

: knock, knock
L8R

: later
LMAO

: laughing my ass off
LMK

: let me know
LOL

: laugh out loud
MB

: momma’s boy
NBD

: no big deal
ND

: nice double (in reference to an online gaming play)
NGL

: not gonna lie
NP

: no problem
NSFW

: not safe/suitable for work
NVM

: never mind
OATUS

: on a totally unrelated subject
OFC

: of course
OG

: original gangster. Also, someone or something that is an original or originator and especially one that is highly respected or regarded. Often used before another noun.
OMG

: oh my god/goodness
OMW

: on my way
OOO

: out of office
OOTD

: outfit of the day
OTOH

: on the other hand
OTP

: on the phone
PIR

: parents in room
POV

: point of view
PPU

: please pick up (in reference to a phone call)
RN

: right now
ROFL

: rolling on the floor laughing
RUOK

: are you ok?
SMH

: shaking my head
SMDH

: shaking my damn head
SO

: significant other
SRY

: sorry
STFU

: shut the f*ck up
TBA

: to be announced
TBD

: to be determined/decided
TBF

: to be frank
TBH

: to be honest
TFW

: the feeling when
THX

: thanks
TIA

: thanks in advance
TL;DR

: too long; didn’t read
TMI

: too much information
TTFN

: ta-ta for now (goodbye)
TTYL

: talk to you later
TY

: thank you
VN

: very nice
WTF

: what the f*ck?
WYD

: what are you doing?
YOLO

: you only live once
YW

: you’re welcome