OTP

What Does OTP Mean in a Text?

OTP means "One True Pairing," "One Time Password," "One Trick Pony," and "On The Phone." Here is more information about each of these definitions, with examples of use.

One True Pairing

OTP is used by authors and readers of fan fiction (fictional stories written by fans) with the meaning "One True Pairing." It refers to their preferred romantic pairing in a story. OTP is equivalent to "one true love" and describes a couple who seem perfectly matched. For example:

• Lee: Did you see that Lady Gaga has split with Taylor Kinney?
• Sam: I was shocked. I thought that was OTP.

• Ali: Dave and Ashleigh looked so happy tonight.
• Terry: OTP.

Fictional examples of OTP include Klaus and Caroline from The Vampire Diaries, Harry Potter and Hermione from the Harry Potter series, and even cartoon characters such as Fred & Wilma from The Flintstones.

OTP is also used by fans of celebrity couples to refer to their favorites (e.g., Kourtney Kardashian and Younes Bendjima, Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn).

One Trick Pony

In the online game League of Legends, the abbreviation OTP is used with the meaning "One Trick Pony." In this context, an OTP is a gamer who concentrates on playing only one character and is focused on mastering that character to achieve the highest possible level.

OTPs are a hotly-debated topic among fans of League of Legends. Here's a video guide on how to become a successful OTP: If you're into gaming, be sure to check out our glossary of online gaming terms.

One Time Password

OTP also means "One Time Password" (or "One Time Passcode"). In this context, an OTP is a password that is valid for only one use. OTPs are widely used in online banking and when users request a password reminder in other secure operations.

On The Phone

OTP is used with the meaning "On The Phone" as a quick text message, sent to someone who is trying to call the sender when they are already in a telephone conversation with someone else.

Video Summarizing OTP

Here's a short video explaining how to use OTP:

Image for OTP

When I write OTP, I mean this:

OTP also means "One Trick Pony," "One Time Password," and "On The Phone."

Summary of Key Points

First Definition of OTP

"One Trick Pony" is the most common definition for OTP on gaming apps, such as Discord and TeamSpeak.

OTP
Definition:	One Trick Pony
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	3: Guessable
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Second definition of OTP

"One True Pairing" is another common definition for OTP on TikTok, Snapchat, WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

OTP
Definition:	One True Pairing
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	3: Guessable
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Third definition of OTP

"One Time Password" is another common definition for OTP.

OTP
Definition:	One Time Password
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	3: Guessable
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Fourth definition of OTP

OTP also means "On The Phone."

OTP
Definition:	On The Phone
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	3: Guessable
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

An Academic Look at OTP

As it is pronounced using its individual letters (i.e., "Oh Tee Pee"), OTP is classified as an initialism abbreviation. Initialisms are different to acronyms, which are spoken like words.

"One Time Password," "One True Pairing," and "One Trick Pony" are noun phrases (i.e., phrases that play the role of a noun). The head word in a noun phrase will be a noun or a pronoun. In this case, the head words are Password, Pairing and Pony.

Example of OTP Used in a Text

Quiz

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