Abbreviations are shortened versions of words and phrases. They enable you to communicate what you want in fewer characters, serving as shortcuts to avoid lengthy text messages. From LOL to BTW, the English language has a wide range of abbreviations. Native English speakers use abbreviations while texting all the time, so understanding what they mean is crucial to effectively communicate. In this article, you’ll learn the meanings of each abbreviation and how they’re used. Example dialogues accompany each one to help you understand them in context.

 

English Abbreviations While Texting

 

English Abbreviations While Texting or on Whatsapp

 

LOL (Laugh Out Loud)

LOL means you’re laughing so hard that you laugh out loud. You can use it whenever you find something even a little funny.

It’s arguably the most common abbreviation for texting since virtually every native English speaker uses it.

Bear in mind that LOL is usually added to the end of sentences and isn’t used as a verb. It’s essentially the equivalent of a laughing emoji.

Example Dialogue:

  • I ate 10 donuts today.
  • That’s a lot of donuts lol.

 

U / U R / UR (You / You Are / Your)

When you say the letters “U” and “R” aloud, they sound like the words “you” and “are,” respectively. For this reason, English speakers often replace “you” with “U” and “are” with “R” while texting. Also, you can combine “U” and “R” to form “UR,” which refers to the possessive pronoun “your.”

Example Dialogue:

  • R u hungry for dinner?
  • Yeah. Could we eat at ur house?

 

TTYL (Talk To You Later)

Use TTYL when you have to end a conversation but will talk or text again with the same person later. Although you could simply use “bye” to end a conversation, TTYL implies that you expect to continue talking at some point again.

Example Dialogue:

  • I have to go.
  • Alright ttyl.

 

THX / TY (Thanks / Thank you)

THX and TY are quick and short ways to express gratitude. The “X” in THX stems from the way “thanks” is pronounced.

Example Dialogue:

  • Congrats on graduating!
  • Thx!

 

LYK / LMK (Let You Know / Let Me Know)

Use LYK to reassure the other person that you’ll share information with them once you have it. Conversely, use LMK to command the other person to share information with you.

Example Dialogue:

  • Do you have time to work on the garden? Please lmk.
  • I’m not sure, but I’ll lyk if I can soon.

 

IDK (I Don’t Know)

Whenever you don’t know about something, text IDK.

Example Dialogue:

  • What’s the weather like over the weekend?
  • Idk I’ll check the weather forecast.

 

CYA (See Ya)

CYA is an alternative to “bye” in English. The letter “C” in CYA stands for the verb “see” while the “YA” stands for “ya.” “See ya” is the shortened and more casual version of “see you later.”

Example Dialogue:

  • I have to go.
  • Ok cya.

 

DEF (Definitely)

DEF emphasizes that you’re confident something is or will be the case.

Example Dialogue:

  • Have you been to the art museum?
  • No.
  • Def check it out when you can.

 

RN (Right Now)

RN means “at this moment.”

Example Dialogue:

  • Can you call me at some point today?
  • Sure. Is it ok if I call you rn?

 

THO (Though)

THO is added to the end of sentences to express something contradictory to something else that’s already been said. The latter half of the word “though” is silent, and so the three letters T, H, and O suffice in this abbreviation.

Example Dialogue:

  • How was the football game?
  • It was fun to watch! The home team lost tho.

 

TN (Tonight)

The word “tonight” has two syllables: “to” and “night.” The initial letters of these two syllables are combined to form TN.

Example Dialogue:

  • R u free tn?
  • Yeah.

 

OFC (Of Course)

You can type OFC in response to someone thanking you to show you were happy to help them. OFC can also be used to suggest that what you’re saying is obvious. Additionally, when someone asks you for permission, you can reply with OFC to grant them permission.

Example Dialogue 1:

  • Thanks for washing the dishes.
  • Ofc!

Example Dialogue 2:

  • (A teacher talking to students) I’ll explain this grammar point, but you can ask questions at any point ofc.

Example Dialogue 3:

  • Is it ok if I sleep on the couch?
  • Ofc.

 

NP (No Problem)

If someone thanks you, you can reply with NP. NP also works in response to someone apologizing for something.

Example Dialogue 1:

  • Thanks for all your help today.
  • Np.
  • I’m sorry for being late.
  • Np.

 

BTW (By The Way)

BTW is a way to change the subject to introduce new information. Always type it at the start or end of a sentence.

Example Dialogue:

  • I just bought a new car btw.
  • Cool!

 

NVM (Never Mind)

Use NVM when you want the other person to disregard what you just said.

Example Dialogue:

  • Could you pick me up at 9?
  • (Same person) Nvm someone else will pick me up.

JK (Just Kidding)

Use JK when you didn’t actually mean what you just said.

Example Dialogue:

  • I did 10 backflips in a row.
  • Seriously?
  • Jk.

 

TBH (To Be Honest)

TBH is another way to say “honestly.” English speakers usually include TBH at the start of sentences.

Example Dialogue:

  • Wanna hang out?
  • Tbh I feel too tired. Maybe some other time.

 

SMH (Shaking My Head)

SMH usually refers to shaking your head in disappointment, as opposed to disagreement in text messages.

However, you wouldn’t use it when you’re so disappointed that you’re angry, as SMH carries a more humorous tone.

Example Dialogue:

  • I belly flopped into the pool and now my whole body stings.
  • Smh.

 

TMR (Tomorrow)

“Tomorrow” can be broken down into three syllables: “to,” “mor,” and “row.” The first letters of each syllable are combined to form this abbreviation.

Example Dialogue:

  • When is the concert?
  • Tmr.

 

OMW (On My Way)

Use OMW when you want to let someone know that you’re heading toward the place where you agreed to meet up at.

Example Dialogue:

  • Hey, are you coming soon?
  • Yeah I’m omw.

 

Hopefully this article helped you gain a better grasp of common abbreviations in English.

Incorporating them while texting not only helps you learn the appropriate responses to what people say, but also makes you sound more native.

If you want to learn more about the English language, be sure to check out other articles below!

 

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