Published on
August 1, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed.
Revised on
October 21, 2025
LGTM is a workplace abbreviation that means โlooks good to meโ or โI approve.โย Professionals use LGTM when theyโre reviewing changes to software developer code, documents, graphic designs, and other work products. LGTM is a concise way for reviewers and decision-makers to give approval without writing lengthy feedback.
LGTM exampleMicki just finished fixing a bug on her teamโs website. She uploaded her changes and asked her supervisor to take a quick look. After reviewing the update and testing it out, her supervisor replies, โLGTM! Nice fix!โ This simple message tells Micki that she can go ahead and publish the change.TipLGTM is common and useful in Slack threads about collaborative projects and product updates. QuillBotโs free AI Slack message generator can also help you write clear and constructive comments in those Slack threads.
Published on
July 15, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed.
Revised on
October 23, 2025
IMO means โin my opinion.โ Itโs an abbreviation that people use in text messages, chats, and social media comments. IMO usually goes at the beginning or end of a sentence that expresses a personal opinion. It should also be capitalized to show that itโs an initialism.
IMO meaning in text exampleย IMO, the pizza in Chicago is way better than St. Louis-style pizza.
Most of the assignments in this class are boring IMO.
IMO, a college education should be free.
TipEven though IMO is somewhat common in text messages, itโs usually too informal for emails. The QuillBot email writer can help you draft emails that are free of texting abbreviations.
Published on
July 11, 2025
by
Tom Challenger, BA.
Revised on
October 29, 2025
An acronym is a word that is an abbreviation for a phraseโsuch as the name of an organizationโformed from letters in that phrase, typically the initial letters of each word.
For instance, NASA is an acronym that stands for National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the word โradarโ originates from an acronym for โradio detection and ranging.โ
You can use QuillBotโs free AI acronym generator to help you devise a catchy acronym for your project, business, campaign, or creative idea.
Published on
June 24, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed.
Revised on
November 11, 2025
TL;DR is an initialism for โtoo long; didnโt read.โ It has two meanings and uses. When itโs a response to a long message, document, or online post, TL;DR means โthis is too long, so I didnโt read it.โ TL;DR also means โa summary of the main points.โ When people write a long post or document, they sometimes include a TL;DR at the beginning or end.
The tips and examples below illustrate how to use TL;DR appropriately.
TL;DR examplesย
TL;DR as a response
TL;DR as a summaryย
In a Reddit discussion about Mario Kart World, a user writes 4 paragraphs about why Peachette should be a playable character, and someone replies TL;DR.
On the family group chat, Julian writes 3 paragraphs about his daughterโs first day of Kindergarten. He ends the long message with โTL;DR she had a great day and loves her new school.โ
A busy college student texts her mom about where theyโre meeting for dinner. Mom writes back with a long paragraph about the dinner plans and several other things. The student writes back, โTL;DR, can you just LMK the time and place?โ
Mariah writes a 5-page report on how the project management platform her company started using last year has reduced costs. In the email with the attachment, Mariah writes, โTL;DR this tool has reduced labor costs by 25%.โ
TipThe next time you need to write a TL;DR of a report or other document, why not try QuillBotโs free Summarizer?
Simply copy/paste the full version into the interface, click โsummarize,โ and voila! QuillBot will instantly provide you with a TL;DR of the main points
Published on
June 11, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed.
Revised on
November 11, 2025
Etcmeans โand so forthโ or โand others of the same kind.โ This abbreviation for et cetera goes at the end of a list (e.g., โunicorns, dragons, fairies, etc.โ). The word โetc.โ saves the time and space of listing everything thatโs in the same category. Like other Latin abbreviations, โetc.โ has lowercase letters. It also ends in a period.
Although โetc.โ can be a time saver, it works best in certain types of writing, and there are special guidelines to consider. The following tips and examples show how to properly use etc. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can also help you use โetc.โ correctly.
How to use etc. in a sentence exampleย The buffet included a wide variety of desserts (cupcakes, cookies, brownies, etc.).
Vince does all of the housework (vacuuming, laundry, etc.), and Nedra does the cooking.
Drew lives in Crested Butte and loves winter sports: skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, etc.
Published on
June 11, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed.
Revised on
November 11, 2025
NBD is a texting and social media abbreviation for the idiom โno big deal,โ which literally means that a situation is not important or problematic. โNBDโ is a common reply to a message about a minor problem. On social media, people use โNBDโ for sarcasm when they post about a personal accomplishment that actually is a big deal.
NBD examplesย Daughter: Iโm so sorry, but weโre running late. Can we change the dinner reservation to 6:30 p.m.?
Mom: Sure! Consider it done! NBD whatsoever. [The response literally means that the problem is easily fixable and the daughter shouldnโt worry about it.]
Social media post: NBD, but I just signed a contract to publish my dissertation. Stay tuned for more details! [Publishing a dissertation actually is a big deal, so โNBDโ is being used for sarcasm.]
TipCapitalization is helpful when youโre texting with initialisms like โNBD,โ โSYS,โ or LMK. Without all caps, the abbreviation โnbdโ might look like a spelling error.
To ensure your messages are free of error and easy to understand, why not install the QuillBot app?
Published on
June 3, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed.
Revised on
November 11, 2025
AM and PM stand for โante meridiemโ (before midday) and โpost meridiemโ (after midday). In parts of the world with a 12-hour time system, people use โa.m.โ or โp.m.โ to clarify which hour theyโre referring to. For example, 6:30 a.m. is morning, and 6:30 p.m. is evening.
The following tips and examples will help you understand when to use a.m. and p.m. and how to format these abbreviations correctly. In most cases, you should write โa.m.โ and โp.m.โ with periods. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you do just that.
AM and PM examplesI made a dinner reservation for 6 p.m.
The baby shower is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
There will be an intermission from 7:30 to 8 p.m.ย
NoteIn parts of the world with a 24-hour time system, people donโt write or say โa.m.โ or โp.m.โ The hours of each day are numbered 00:00 (for midnight) to 23:00 (for 11:00 p.m.). Midnight is also sometimes referred to as โ24:00.โ
Published on
June 1, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed.
Revised on
November 11, 2025
TBHmeans โto be honest.โ Itโs an abbreviation for text messages, social media comments, and online chats. Synonyms for TBH include โfrankly,โ โto tell you the truth,โ and โin all honesty.โ TBH usually goes at the beginning or end of a candid statement.
TBH examplesTBH, youโre one of the most beautiful people Iโve ever met.
TBH, Iโd rather stay home and relax instead of going to the party.
Iโm not a fan of bubble tea, TBH.
TipIf โTBHโ begins a sentence, place a comma after it (just like you would if you were spelling out โto be honestโ) because itโs technically an introductory phrase. If โTBHโ goes at the end of a sentence, the comma goes before it.
Installing the QuillBot app is a great way to ensure your text messages and social media posts are free of error.
Published on
May 9, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed.
Revised on
November 11, 2025
SYS means โsee you soon.โ Itโs a text abbreviation that people use in messaging threads when theyโre planning to see each other in the near future. People sometimes write โSYSโ at the end of a conversation about their plans together for later that day.
SYS exampleGrace: Hey, Sis! Any chance I can ride with you to the show tonight?
Nicole: Of course! Can we pick you up at 7:30?
Grace: Thatโs perfect. SYS!
TipUse capital letters for text abbreviations like โSYS,โ โLMAOโ or “LMK.” The all caps formatting will make your text messages reader friendly. Without all caps, the initialism might look like a spelling error.
To ensure your messages are error free, why not install the QuillBot app?
Published on
May 9, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed.
Revised on
November 11, 2025
SMH means โshaking my head.โ Itโs a text abbreviation that people use in online chats and text messages to show disapproval or frustration. You can add โSMHโ to a piece of mildly frustrating information that youโre sharing, or you can use โSMHโ as a reaction to a moderately difficult situation.
SMH exampleCoworker 1: I just read that I-70 is going to be closed again next week. SMH.
Coworker 2: Oh no! Hopefully, theyโll finish the construction soon.
TipOnly use โSMHโ with people with whom you have a close personal rapport. โSMHโ might come across as too negative if you use it with a supervisor or someone you donโt know well.
Itโs also important to use correct grammar and spelling errors when youโre writing instant messages. To ensure your messages are error free, why not install the QuillBot app?