100+ Common Text Abbreviations and How to Use Them

Feb 11, 2025 · 7 min read
100+ Common Text Abbreviations and How to Use Them

In an age dominated by digital communication, texting has evolved into an art form of brevity and creativity. Text abbreviations and slang have become the linguistic glue of instant messaging, fostering connection, saving time, and even reflecting the cultural zeitgeist. Whether you’re exchanging memes, coordinating plans, or simply vibing with your friends online or managing business communications, these shorthand expressions are shaping the way we connect.

You might be wondering what does FOMO mean? or why did someone send me LOL? Luckily you can use this dictionary to find out meanings of the most commonly used SMS / text abbreviations.

Here’s a cheat sheet of SMS and text message abbreviations you shouldn’t miss.

Text Abbreviations and Acronyms

Common Text Abbreviations

  • ABT: About
  • AFAIK: As far as I know
  • AFK: Away from keyboard
  • B4: Before
  • BC: Because
  • BFD: Big freaking deal
  • BOGO: Buy one get one
  • BRB: Be right back
  • BRT: Be right there
  • BTS: Behind the scenes
  • BTW: By the way
  • BYOB: Bring your own beer
  • DAE: Does anyone else?
  • FOMO: Fear of missing out
  • FTFY: Fixed that for you
  • FTW: For the win
  • FUBAR: F***** up beyond all recognition
  • FWIF: For what it’s worth
  • FWIW: For what it’s worth
  • GG: Good game
  • GOAT: Greatest of all time
  • GTG/G2G: Got to go
  • H8: Hate
  • HBD: Happy birthday
  • HMU: Hit me up
  • ICYMI: In case you missed it
  • IDC: I don’t care
  • IDGAF: I don’t give a f***
  • IDK: I don’t know
  • IKR: I know, right?
  • IMHO: In my humble opinion
  • IMO: In my opinion
  • IRL: In real life
  • ISO: In search of
  • IYKYK: If you know you know
  • IYKWIM: If you know what I mean
  • JK: Just kidding
  • JIC: Just in case
  • JW: Just wondering
  • LMAO: Laughing my a** off
  • LMK: Let me know
  • LOL: Laugh out loud
  • MYOB: Mind your own business
  • NBD: No big deal
  • NGL: Not gonna lie
  • NVM: Never mind
  • POV: Point of view
  • RN: Right now
  • ROFL: Rolling on the floor laughing
  • SNAFU: Situation normal, all f***** up
  • SMH: Shaking my head
  • STFU: Shut the f*** up
  • TBH: To be honest
  • TBA: To be announced
  • TBD: To be decided
  • TBF: To be frank
  • TGIF: Thank goodness it’s Friday
  • TLC: Tender loving care
  • TL;DR: Too long, didn’t read
  • TMI: Too much information
  • TTYL: Talk to you later
  • TW: Trigger warning
  • W/E: Whatever
  • WTF: What the f***
  • WYD: What are you doing?
  • WYSIWYG: What you see is what you get

Social Media Text Abbreviations

Alphabetized List of Social Media Abbreviations and Slang

  • AMA: Ask me anything
  • BR: BeReal
  • DM: Direct message
  • ELI5: Explain like I’m 5
  • FB: Facebook
  • FBF: Flashback Friday
  • FF: Follow Friday
  • GRWM: Get ready with me
  • HMU: Hit me up
  • IG: Instagram
  • IM: Instant message
  • LI: LinkedIn
  • MFW: My feeling when
  • OP: Original post
  • OOTD: Outfit of the day
  • PIN: Pinterest
  • PM: Private message
  • QOTD: Quote of the day
  • RT: Retweet
  • SC: Snapchat
  • SMP: Social media platform
  • TBT: Throwback Thursday
  • TIL: Today I learned
  • TMW: That moment when
  • TT: TikTok
  • TTV: Twitch TV
  • WA: WhatsApp
  • WYD: What are you doing?
  • X: Previously named Twitter
  • YT: YouTube

Business Text Abbreviations

  • AKA: Also known as
  • ASAP: As soon as possible
  • B2B: Business-to-business
  • B2C: Business-to-consumer
  • CC: Send a copy to
  • COB: Close of business
  • CSR: Corporate social responsibility
  • DEI: Diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • DIY: Do it yourself
  • EOD: End of day
  • EOW: End of week
  • ETA: Estimated time of arrival
  • EBITDA: Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization
  • FAQ: Frequently asked question
  • FYI: For your information
  • LMGTFY: Let me Google that for you
  • N/A: Not applicable or not available
  • NP: No problem
  • NSFW: Not safe for work
  • OMW: On my way
  • OOO: Out of office
  • P/E: Price-to-earnings ratio
  • TIA: Thanks in advance
  • TIL: Today I learned
  • WDYT: What do you think?
  • WFH: Work from home
  • WYGAM: When you get a minute

Text Message Marketing Acronyms and Jargon

  • 5G: 5th generation, meaning the newest generation of mobile communications
  • CPC: Cost per click
  • CR: Conversion rate
  • CTA: Call to action
  • CTR: Click-through rate
  • MMS: Multimedia messaging service
  • RCS: Rich communication services
  • ROI: Return on investment
  • SCN: Short Code Number
  • SMB: Small/medium business
  • SMS: Short message service
  • TCPA: Telephone Consumer Protection Act
  • Text Broadcast: A single message sent to a large group of people
  • Text to Join: A method people can use to opt into your text list
  • Text to Landline: When you send or receive text messages on a landline phone
  • Text to Win: A contest you run through text message
  • TOS: Terms of service
  • UGC: User-generated content
  • UX: User experience

Romantic Text Abbreviations

  • BAE: Before anyone else
  • BF: Boyfriend
  • DTR: Define the relationship
  • GF: Girlfriend
  • ILY: I love you
  • LDR: Long-distance relationship
  • LOML: Love of my life
  • LTR: Long term relationship
  • LYSM: Love you so much
  • MCM: Man crush Monday
  • OTP: One true pairing
  • PDA: Public display of affection
  • SO: Significant other
  • WCW: Woman crush Wednesday
  • XOXO: Hugs and kisses

How To Use Text Abbreviations

Text abbreviations are a convenient way to communicate effectively and concisely, especially in today’s fast-paced world. When using them in your blog or content, ensure they are relevant to your audience and clearly defined at least once to avoid confusion. For example, terms like CTA (Call to Action) and ROI (Return on Investment) are great for marketing-focused content, while abbreviations such as SMS (Short Message Service) and MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) work well in tech or communication topics. Incorporating these abbreviations thoughtfully can make your writing more professional and reader-friendly.

Text Abbreviation Examples

  • Marketing Campaign: “Don’t miss out! Shop now for the best deals. CTA: Click the link to grab your offer!”

  • Customer Support: “Hello, Dipen! Your issue has been resolved. For further queries, contact our team via SMS or MMS.”

  • Team Collaboration: “Great progress on the project! Let’s discuss the ROI during tomorrow’s meeting.”

  • Event Reminder: “Get ready for the big day tomorrow! Keep track of updates with our UGC posts.”

  • Compliance Alert: “Reminder: All activities must adhere to the TCPA to ensure regulatory compliance.”

  • Internal Communication: “Our new SMB initiative launches next week—let’s nail down the final CTR figures by Friday.”

  • Friendship Reminder: “Hey! Our plans for the weekend are set. Let me know your ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) so I can prepare.”

  • Birthday Invite: “You’re invited to my bday bash 🎉! Bring your +1 and RSVP (Répondez s’il vous plaît) by Friday!”

  • Quick Update: “On my way! BRB (Be Right Back) in 10 mins.”

  • Sharing Excitement: “OMG (Oh My God), the movie was incredible! Can’t wait to watch it again.”

Best Practices for Sending Business Texts with Abbreviations

  • Define Abbreviations Clearly: Ensure abbreviations are commonly understood or define them in the message if necessary, e.g., “Check out our ROI (Return on Investment) calculator now!”

  • Keep Your Audience in Mind: Use abbreviations suited to the audience. For professional contexts, stick to industry terms like CTR (Click-Through Rate) or TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act). For casual messages, use widely recognized abbreviations like BRB (Be Right Back).

  • Limit the Number of Abbreviations: Don’t overload your message with abbreviations as it may confuse recipients. Prioritize clarity and simplicity.

  • Test for Readability: Before sending, read the text aloud to ensure it makes sense and doesn’t require excessive decoding.

  • Align with Your Brand: Use abbreviations that reflect your tone and style. For example, tech-savvy brands might incorporate MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service), while creative brands might leverage abbreviations like UGC (User-Generated Content).

  • Ensure Compliance: Adhere to legal regulations like the TCPA and terms of service policies to avoid misuse or spam-like behavior.

Best Practices for Using Text Abbreviations in Marketing

  • Keep Messages Concise: Text abbreviations like CTA (Call to Action) and ROI (Return on Investment) help deliver key points without overloading your audience with information. For instance, “Boost your ROI—click now!” grabs attention quickly.

  • Appeal to Your Target Audience: Use abbreviations familiar to your audience. For example, younger demographics may resonate with casual terms like OMG (Oh My God), while professionals may appreciate CTR (Click-Through Rate) or UGC (User-Generated Content).

  • Reinforce Your Branding: Consistently use industry-specific abbreviations in your campaigns to establish authority. For example, a telecom company could emphasize SMS (Short Message Service) or 5G (5th Generation) in their content.

  • Simplify Complex Ideas: Abbreviations let you convey technical concepts without overwhelming your audience. For instance, “Understand your TOS (Terms of Service) in just 3 steps” makes legal jargon approachable.

  • Create Catchy Campaigns: Leverage text abbreviations to craft memorable marketing hooks. Phrases like “Text to Win!” or “Join our SMS list today” can encourage higher participation.

  • Drive Quick Actions: Abbreviations like CTA paired with urgency—e.g., “Limited-time offer! Click the CTA now!"—can enhance engagement rates.

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