Texting Abbreviations: What SMH, NGL, FR and IKR Actually Mean

SMH means “shaking my head.” NGL means “not gonna lie.” FR means “for real,” and IKR means “I know, right?” If your group chat just used all four in one message, you’re in the right place.

Below is a plain-English list of the most common texting abbreviations, with an example for each, plus a few notes on tone, because the same three letters can sound friendly in one chat and rude in another.

Texting abbreviations and what they mean

Every meaning in this table comes from Dictionary.com entries, which list these as informal abbreviations used online and in texts. The examples are ours, so you can see how they sound in a real message.

Dictionary.com says SMH, IDK, LMK, OMW and BRB all come from their use in digital communication, like text messages and online chat. In other words, nobody sat down and invented them. People kept typing the same phrases until they got shorter.

What does SMH mean?

Dictionary.com defines SMH as “shaking my head,” used to show disbelief, disgust or shock. You use it when something is so ridiculous that words don’t help.

It can be playful (“they put pineapple on the pizza again, smh”) or genuinely annoyed (“you left me on read for three days, smh”). Tone depends on the person and what came before. If you’re not sure whether someone is joking, look at the emoji, the punctuation, and how they usually text.

What does NGL mean?

NGL stands for “not gonna lie.” Dictionary.com describes it as an informal online abbreviation used when admitting or confessing something.

It signals that what comes next is an honest opinion, and sometimes a slightly awkward one. “ngl, I liked the old version better” is a very normal sentence. “ngl” followed by something nice also works. “ngl, you look amazing.”

What does FR mean in a text?

FR means “for real.” Dictionary.com lists “for real” among the American meanings of FR. It’s used two ways: as a question (“you got the lead role? fr?”) and to show you’re serious (“that was the best show I’ve ever seen, fr”).

People sometimes double it to “fr fr” for extra emphasis. Same meaning, just louder.

What does IKR mean?

IKR means “I know, right?” and, per Dictionary.com, it’s used to express agreement. Someone says something you completely agree with, you send ikr. It’s also a quick way to say “same” without writing a full sentence.

What does MK mean in texting?

“mk” means okay. It comes from “mmkay,” the drawn-out way some people say okay out loud. It’s quick and casual, so you’ll see it as a reply to plans, reminders and “text me when you get there.”

Tone is the tricky part. From a friend who always texts short, “mk” is just a yes. After a long message or an argument, it can read as flat or a little annoyed, the same way a plain “k” can. If you’re not sure which one you got, look at how that person usually texts before you read into it.

Same letters, different meaning

Abbreviations are shared by lots of unrelated things, which is why you should always read the surrounding message before you decide what something means. For example:

• NGL also stands for “natural gas liquid(s),” according to Dictionary.com.
• IKR is also a short form of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (Dictionary.com).
• IDC means “I don’t care” in American English, but in British English it can mean an “industrial development certificate” (Dictionary.com).
• SMH is also the name of an exchange-traded fund, a type of investment, in finance news (Dictionary.com shows example sentences using it that way).

You won’t confuse any of these in a text from your friend. But if you see an abbreviation in a news article, a school email or a form, don’t assume it’s slang.

When abbreviations sound rude

Tone is the part nobody explains. A few rules of thumb:

• IDC can hurt. “idc” can sound cold, even if you mean “I’m easygoing.” If you want to say you don’t mind, write “I’m good with either.”
• SMH is sharp. It works as a joke between friends. It can sting when it’s aimed at something someone actually did or said.
• Short replies read as moods. A one-word answer feels very different from a long message with lots of exclamation points. If someone seems upset with you, ask them before you assume. More on that in what to do when your crush leaves you on read.
• ILY lands differently with different people. Dictionary.com notes it is used sincerely or jokingly. Between close friends it’s easy. With someone you’re dating or a crush, it’s a bigger deal.

Where not to use texting abbreviations

Abbreviations are fine in a group chat. They’re a bad idea in a few other places:

• Emails to teachers and counselors. Write full sentences. Our guide on how to email a teacher shows how.
• Job applications and messages to a boss. Spell everything out, even if the boss texts casually.
• Messages with older relatives. They may not know what idk or iykyk mean, and a short reply can read as angry to them.

Try decoding this group chat

Here’s a realistic message, so you can see how the pieces fit together:

“ngl that quiz was so hard. smh, he said it’d be easy. omw to the library, lmk if you want anything. brb, charging my phone.”

In plain English: “Honestly, that quiz was really hard. I can’t believe he said it would be easy. I’m on my way to the library, tell me if you want anything. I’ll be right back, I’m charging my phone.”

Notice that none of the abbreviations changed the facts. They just set the mood: tired, a little annoyed, still friendly. That’s the real job of most texting abbreviations. They add tone to a short message.

How to ask what something means

Slang changes quickly, and nobody knows every abbreviation. If a friend sends something you don’t recognize, it’s okay to ask. Here’s a way to do it without feeling silly:

You can also search the abbreviation plus the word “meaning,” and check a dictionary rather than a random forum.

Texting a crush and don’t want to sound like you’re trying too hard? Check what to text your crush. And if the whole thing makes you feel behind, how to be less awkward may help. You’re not the only one who googles slang.

Questions people ask