Text message shorthand is shortened wording—such as “LOL” or “BRB”—used in text messages and other informal digital conversations. If you have received an unfamiliar abbreviation, read it alongside the surrounding words and your relationship with the sender: the same letters can mean different things in different conversations.
What is text message shorthand?
It is a way of writing words or phrases in shorter forms in texts and similar casual digital exchanges. People may call the forms “texting abbreviations” or “acronyms” in everyday conversation, although an acronym technically refers to a particular kind of abbreviation.
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In US-facing writing, Microsoft’s style guide recommends “text” or “text message” rather than “SMS” or “MMS.” Its guidance, last updated June 24, 2022, says: “Use text or text message rather than SMS (short message service) or MMS (multimedia messaging service) for the US audience.” In other markets, “SMS” may be preferred. Microsoft Style Guide: text message
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| Form | Usual reading | How it is formed or used |
|---|---|---|
| LOL | Laugh out loud | Initial letters; a casual reaction |
| BRB | Be right back | Initial letters; signals a short pause |
| BTW | By the way | Initial letters; introduces additional information |
| IDK | I don’t know | Initial letters; states uncertainty |
| GR8 | Great | Sound-based spelling, using “8” for the sound in “ate” |
These are recognizable examples, not a complete or universal dictionary. Text shorthand can use initials, shortened spellings such as omitted vowels, or sound-based substitutions. A list of letters alone does not guarantee a meaning: communities and individual conversations can use the same form differently. Merriam-Webster: text
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How to work out an abbreviation in a message
- Read the whole message. Nearby words often show whether an abbreviation is a reaction, a pause, or an introduction to another point.
- Consider who sent it and the setting. Friends may share shorthand that a new contact or colleague does not use in the same way.
- Ask if the meaning matters and remains unclear. A brief “What do you mean by that?” is safer than acting on a guess.
When should you use shorthand?
Use it in informal exchanges when the recipient is likely to recognize it and the tone fits. For interviews, messages to professors, customer-facing communication, or other professional situations, write the full phrase when shorthand could confuse the reader. William & Mary’s Writing Resources Center likewise describes texting forms as appropriate to casual situations rather than professional interactions such as interviews or emails with professors. William & Mary Writing Resources Center
A useful test is whether a stranger in the intended audience could understand the message without stopping to decode it. If not, spell it out—especially when clarity or tone matters.
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