Text slang is the short, casual language people use in text messages, group chats and social media. The most searched text slang word is ngl, which means “not gonna lie”. Below you’ll find the meaning of ngl, wyd, icl, lmao, GOAT and 20 more, with real examples, a quick guide to emoji slang and a few very British texting habits.
If you’ve ever stared at your phone like a confused dad wondering what “iykyk” means, you’re in the right place.
Text Slang Meanings: Quick List
| Slang | Stands for | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ngl | not gonna lie | honestly; I’m being truthful |
| wyd | what (are) you doing? | asking what someone is up to |
| icl | I can’t lie | honestly (very common in the UK) |
| lol | laughing out loud | that’s funny (often just friendly) |
| lmao | laughing my a** off | that’s really funny |
| GOAT | greatest of all time | the best ever |
| fr / fr fr | for real | seriously; I agree completely |
| no cap | (not an abbreviation: “cap” means a lie) | I’m not lying, seriously |
| iykyk | if you know, you know | an inside joke |
| tbh | to be honest | honestly |
| tbf | to be fair | in fairness (very British) |
| imo / imho | in my (humble) opinion | I think |
| idk | I don’t know | I don’t know |
| rn | right now | at the moment |
| smh | shaking my head | I’m disappointed |
| brb | be right back | I’ll be back soon |
| btw | by the way | adding extra information |
| lowkey | (not an abbreviation) | a bit, secretly |
| ong | on God | I swear it’s true |
| istg | I swear to God | I really mean it |
| irl | in real life | not online |
| fomo | fear of missing out | worry about missing fun |
| ofc | of course | of course |
| idgaf | I don’t give a f*** | I don’t care at all (rude!) |
| ty / np | thank you / no problem | thanks / you’re welcome |
What Does NGL Mean?
NGL means “not gonna lie”. People use it before saying something honest, especially an opinion or a small confession. It’s like saying “honestly” or “to be honest”.
Example: “ngl that film was better than I expected”
Example: “ngl I ate all the biscuits”
You can write it in lower case (ngl) or capitals (NGL). It’s friendly and casual, so it’s perfect with friends but not for work emails.
What Does WYD Mean?
WYD means “what (are) you doing?” It’s a quick way to ask what someone is up to, often because you want to chat or meet up.
Example: “wyd later? fancy the cinema?”
A typical reply: “nm, just chilling” (nm = not much).
What Does ICL Mean?
ICL means “I can’t lie”. It works just like ngl, and it’s especially popular in the UK, where you’ll see it all over British group chats and social media.
Example: “icl I’m knackered”
What Do LOL and LMAO Mean?
LOL means “laughing out loud” and LMAO means “laughing my a** off”. LMAO shows something is really funny. Today, “lol” often just makes a message sound friendly, so people add it even when they’re not laughing. LMAO contains a rude word, so keep it for friends.
Example: “I fell asleep on the bus and missed my stop lol”
What Does GOAT Mean?
GOAT means “greatest of all time”. It’s used for the best sports stars, musicians or anything that’s simply the best. People often use the goat emoji 🐐 instead of the word.
Example: “my nan’s roast dinner is the GOAT 🐐”
More Text Slang You Need to Know
fr / fr fr
For real. It shows you mean it, or that you completely agree. Saying it twice (fr fr) makes it stronger. “this queue is ridiculous fr”
no cap
No lie, seriously. Unlike most text slang, this one isn’t an abbreviation. “Cap” is slang for a lie, so “no cap” means you’re telling the truth. The cap emoji 🧢 can mean someone is lying. “best chips in town, no cap”
iykyk
If you know, you know. Used for an inside joke or something only certain people will understand. “Friday nights at the chippy, iykyk”
tbh
To be honest. Very common, and a little softer than ngl. “tbh I’d rather stay in tonight”
tbf
To be fair. Brits love this one, because being fair is very British. “tbf it did rain all day”
imo / imho
In my (humble) opinion. “imo the first series was better”
idk, rn, brb, btw
idk = I don’t know, rn = right now, brb = be right back, btw = by the way. “idk, I’m busy rn, brb”
smh
Shaking my head. Shows disappointment or disbelief. “he forgot her birthday again smh”
lowkey / highkey
Lowkey means a bit, or secretly. Highkey means very, or openly. “lowkey want another pizza”
ong / istg
On God and I swear to God. Both mean “I’m really telling the truth”. “istg I sent that email”
idgaf (rude!)
IDGAF means “I don’t give a f***”, in other words “I don’t care at all”. You’ll see it a lot online, but it contains a strong swear word, so it’s rude. Understand it, but don’t use it with your teacher, your boss or your nan. A polite version: “I’m not bothered.”
irl, fomo, ofc, ty, np
irl = in real life, fomo = fear of missing out, ofc = of course, ty = thank you, np = no problem.
Emoji Slang
- 💀 skull: “I’m dead”, meaning something is so funny I’m dying of laughter.
- 😭 loudly crying face: often used for laughing too, or being overwhelmed.
- 🔥 fire: amazing, brilliant.
- 🐐 goat: the GOAT, the greatest of all time.
- 👀 eyes: I’m watching, or this is interesting gossip.
- 🧢 cap: that’s a lie.
British Texting Habits
British texts have a few habits of their own, and visitors are often surprised by them:
- x at the end of a message is a kiss, but Brits add it to friends, family and even colleagues. One x is friendly, not romantic. “See you at 7 x”
- cheers and ta both mean thanks. “cheers for the lift”
- icl and tbf are much more common in the UK than in the US.
- innit (isn’t it) turns up at the end of all sorts of sentences. “cold today innit”
- hiya is a friendly hello. Find more in our guide to real English greetings.
Is Text Slang Rude?
Most text slang is simply casual, not rude. It’s great with friends, but it can look lazy or unprofessional at work, in exams or when you message someone you don’t know well. A few (like lmao, and anything with a swear word hidden in it) are best kept for close friends. If in doubt, write it out in full.
More Modern Slang on FunkyEnglish
Want more? These lessons explain other modern slang words, each with examples and a quiz:
- Lit: exciting or excellent
- Fam: your family and closest friends
- Bae: your boyfriend or girlfriend
- Squad: your group of friends
- Well jel: very jealous
- Dench: excellent (modern British)
- Fresh: cool or stylish
- Kicks: trainers
- Banter: playful teasing
- Selfie: a photo of yourself
- Binge-watch: watch lots of episodes at once
- Eye candy: someone nice to look at
Prefer traditional British slang? Try 50 British slang words, or browse all our collections.
What Is Slang?
Slang is very informal language used mostly in speech and casual writing, often by a particular group of people. It changes fast: today’s cool word can sound old-fashioned in a few years.
Frequently Asked Questions
NGL means “not gonna lie”. People use it before saying something honest, like an opinion or a small confession: “ngl that was the best pizza I’ve ever had”.
WYD means “what (are) you doing?”. It is a casual way to ask what someone is up to: “wyd later?”
ICL means “I can’t lie”. It is used like ngl and is especially popular in the UK: “icl I’m knackered”.
Usually not. Text slang is casual and is best for friends. In work emails, exams or messages to people you don’t know well, write words out in full.
Test Yourself: Decode the Text
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