ILI

What Does ILI Mean in a Text?

ILI means "I Love It" or "I'm Laughing Internally."

The abbreviation ILI is typically used with the meaning "I Love It" as an emphatic reaction to a pleasing or amusing statement. In this context, ILI is often used as an ironic response to news of another person's bad luck or misfortune.

When used with the meaning "I'm Laughing Internally," ILI is typically used sarcastically. In this context ILI is often used as response to a bad joke. It can also serve as an alternative to LOL (Laughing Out Loud), which is now considered a boring cliché.

Image for ILI

When I write ILI, I mean this:

meaning of ILI

ILI is often a celebration of someone else's misfortune.

Summary of Key Points

First Definition for ILI

ILI means "I Love It." This is the most common definition for ILI on Snapchat, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X (Twitter).
ILI
Definition:I Love It
Type:Abbreviation
Guessability:guessability level 4
4: Difficult to guess
Typical Users:typical user

Adults and Teenagers

Second Definition for ILI

ILI also means "I'm Laughing Internally":
ILI
Definition:I'm Laughing Internally
Type:Abbreviation
Guessability:guessability level 4
4: Difficult to guess
Typical Users:typical user

Adults and Teenagers

Examples of ILI in Sentences

Here are examples of ILI being used in conversations:
  • Lynne: Did you hear that Caz fell over during her catwalk show?
  • Liz: ILI! It couldn't have happened to a nicer person.
  • (Here, ILI is being used with the meaning "I Love It" as an emphatic reaction to pleasing news.)
  • Boss: Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.
  • Technician: Very good. ILI.
  • (Here, ILI is being used with the meaning "I´m Laughing Internally" as a sarcastic reaction to a joke.)

An Academic Look at ILI

Whether used with the meaning "I Love It" or "I'm Laughing Internally," the abbreviation ILI is pronounced using its individual letters (i.e., "Eye Ell Eye"). Therefore, it is classified as an initialism abbreviation. Initialisms are different to acronyms, which are spoken like words.

ILI is typically used as a declarative sentence. In other words, it is not normally used as another part of speech within a wider sentence.

What Did We Say before Texting and Social Media?

Before the digital era, we would have just said "I Love It" or "I'm Laughing Internally" instead of using ILI.

Example of ILI Used in a Text

ILI
author logo

This page is maintained by the Cyber Definitions Editorial Team.

Help Us Improve Cyber Definitions

  • Do you disagree with something on this page?
  • Did you spot a typo?
  • Do you know a slang term that we've missed?
Please tell us using this form.

Quiz

Try our fun quiz to test your knowledge of slang and texting abbreviations.
gold cup
Gold

gold cup
Silver

gold cup
Bronze

0
  • This test has questions.
  • A correct answer is worth 5 points.
  • You can get up to 5 bonus points for a speedy answer.
  • Some questions demand more than one answer. You must get every part right.
  • Beware! Wrong answers score 0 points.
  • 🏆 If you beat one of the top 3 scores, you will be invited to apply for the Hall of Fame.
Scoring System

Cyber Guru (+)
Cyber Hero (+)
Cyber Captain (+)
Cyber Sergeant (+)
Cyber Recruit (+)