AFK

What Does AFK Mean?

AFK means "Away From Keyboard."

The abbreviation AFK is used to indicate that the sender is temporarily absent and is unable to respond to messages or participate in a game.

AFK is most commonly used in multi-player games, when it indicates that the player is away even though their character is still onscreen. For example:
  • Toni: Where were you? We were slaughtered.
  • Jo: I told you I was AFK.
  • Les: Sam, you take out the sniper.
  • Ali: Sam is AFK. I'll do it.

A Video Summary

Here's a short video explaining this entry on AFK. It also covers BAK (Back at Keyboard)
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Image for AFK

When I write AFK, I mean this: meaning of AFK AFK indicates a temporary absence.

Summary of Key Points

"Away from Keyboard" is the most common definition for AFK on Snapchat, WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
AFK
Definition:Away from Keyboard
Type:Abbreviation
Guessability:guessability level 3
3: Guessable
Typical Users:typical user
Adults and Teenagers

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An Academic Look at AFK

Technically, AFK is an adverb of place, but it most often used like a standalone declarative sentence (i.e., a statement), which translates best as "I am away from the keyboard."

AFK is an initialism abbreviation. This means it is pronounced using its individual letters (Ay Eff Kay). Initialisms contrast with acronyms, which are spoken like words.

Example of AFK Used in a Text

AFK

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See Also

BBS (be back soon) BRB (be right back) BRBK (be right back) BTS (Bangtan Boys, be there soon, better than sex) SYS (see ya soon)