20 Interesting Text Abbreviations You Should Know

Looking for a way to text your friend quickly when traveling by metro or bus, without giving the passenger next to you too much time to read it? 

Well, we millennials have found a way out to save time and text faster. Our favorite method is to abbreviate the words we use frequently. The common text abbreviations are not just used informally anymore, but big companies also use them to ace SMS marketing. Despite many memes about how annoying “GM” instead of “Good Morning” is, these abbreviations are our savior when typing under time constraints. Taking into consideration that “Abbreviations are the New Black,” we have to get on board with them in order to be relevant. 

Acknowledging the fact that there is a new abbreviation being used somewhere in some corner of the world, we have listed a set of abbreviations you should know about to ace your texting skills. 

1. A3 – Anytime, Anywhere, Anyplace!

Making plans with some of your pals might be challenging because of their busy schedules, but some of us are always available to catch up! When the group discussion becomes heated, and you want to let them know that you don’t have anything specific in mind but still want to be affirmative of your involvement, simply say “A3”, and you’ll be good to go.

2. BTW – By The Way

Have you ever been in a scenario where you can sense that a discussion is going nowhere or that the conversion is about to end? In that situation, say “BTW” to shift the topic and get a response from your text buddies. So, if you’re in the middle of a discussion that isn’t leading anywhere, shift the subject by saying, “BTW, how have you been?”

3. DIY – Do It Yourself

There is ‘n’ number of pages using this abbreviation as a hashtag/video content. The phrase focuses on letting individuals know that they are capable of performing the task on their own.

4. DM – Direct Message

Social media business owners commonly use this term to inform prospective clients that their brand will be ready to answer any questions they may have. “DM” is also used when you are chatting in a group and need to request someone to contact you directly through the personal chat.

5. DW – Don’t Worry

On average, we use “Don’t Worry” at least twice a day. But when using it in the middle of a conversation to comfort the other person, you just do not have enough time to text the entire thing. Especially when the replies are coming at typing skills pro max speed, this is when you may replace your “Don’t worry” with “DW”. 

6. ETA – Expected Time of Arrival

When we have a meeting scheduled with someone and need to confirm the time they will take to arrive, we use this phrase. So next time you are in a hurry and wish to know how long it will take your friend to get to you, you can text “ETA?” and you can read their response when you have a bit more time.

7. EOD – End of The Day

You may have received a formal mail asking you to submit your assigned work by “EOD”. Therefore, you have till the end of the day to complete your task, so hurry up. You can also use this abbreviation to tell someone that you will make a decision by the end of the day and let them know.

8. FOMO – Fear of Missing Out

The sudden urge to know things or be a part of every event simply because you don’t want to be excluded is now called “FOMO”. We were all having major “FOMO” last year when the lockdown was lifted, and a lot of people were going on trips with friends and families and posting about their ‘Fun Times.” 

9. FWIW – For What it’s Worth

Remember when you thought you almost gave up but then the fantasy of achieving that goal made you work harder for it? So it’s been labeled as “For What it’s worth” and usually used in sentences like “For what it’s worth, the efforts didn’t go in vain.”

10. GOAT – Greatest of All Time

Crushing over your favorite celebrity and having a fan-to-fan chat with your friend and suddenly remembering the best celebrity moment? In this situation, the word “GOAT” can be used to express how highly you regard that individual or moment.

11. ICYMI – In Case You Missed It

Usually used as a gentle reminder, this abbreviation is also used to start a forgotten conversation with an individual. Various companies use this abbreviation in their follow-up emails or SMS to remind their customers about the services or incomplete registration/purchase. 

12. NP/YW – No Problem/You’re Welcome

Naturally, the response to Thank You is “No Problem/You’re Welcome,” but when texting, you can simply write “NP/YW” in case you are in a hurry. 

13. NVM – Nevermind

This acronym is generally used when you’re attempting to explain something to someone, and they just don’t get it. That’s when you say, “NVM, let’s look at it from another angle.

14. OOTD – Outfit of The Day

Remember last year’s wedding season when everyone was flooding our feed with their OOTDs, and the #OOTD became one of the most trending hashtags. Well, if you were in a dilemma earlier, now you know what it means. 

15. ROFL – Rolling on The Floor Laughing

Ever had those crazy stomach cramps just because you laughed too hard? Well, we millennials have a term for it that’s called “ROFL”. There is a huge possibility that the joke you cracked made the other person giggle, but they will still let you know that they had a great laugh when they texted this to you.

16. TBH – To Be Honest

Confronting your friend about something that they might have done wrong, and you want them to be serious about whatever you are telling them? This is when TBH comes in handy and lets your friend know that you do not mean to be sarcastic anymore and they should pay attention to what you say. 

17. TFW – That Feel/Feeling When

Every time you and your best friend talk about your shared core memories, you end up discussing what the situation was or how you felt. Or simply when something interesting happened in your life, and you associated it with a feeling. This is when you might hear your friend say, “You know TFW….?”.

18. TGIF – Thank God It’s Friday

Who doesn’t love Fridays? Absolutely no one. We all look up to Fridays to take time off work and give our friends, family, and majorly ourselves some time from our hectic schedules. So when we say “TGIF,” we are trying to tell everyone that finally the weekdays are over and there can be some fun in life. 

19. TYSM/TY/TX- Thank You So Much, Thanks, Thank You 

It’s never too bad to thank people around you. But if you feel that you do not have enough time to thank someone at the time, then you may simply send them a “TYSM”. This will let them know that you acknowledge their help. 

20. WBU – What About You

Recollect the time when your buddy or someone else asks you – how are you…?? Yes, here’s when you can say – “I’m Good, WBU?” that simply signifies that you wish to know his/her response to the same.

We hope that you’ll find this list of abbreviations useful and interesting. Do let us know if we have missed out on any of the important abbreviations or what your opinions are about it.