ALAP

What Does ALAP Mean in a Text?

The Quick Answer

ALAP means "As Late As Possible," "As Long As Possible," or "As Little As Possible."

More Detail...

Below are the most common definitions of the abbreviation ALAP:

As Late As Possible

ALAP is typically used with the meaning "As Late As Possible" in response to a question about an expected time, usually of arrival or of the completion of an event. For example:

• When do you want to die?
• I want to die young. ALAP!

As Long As Possible

ALAP is typically used with the meaning "As Long As Possible" when talking about keeping something going for the maximum possible amount of time. For example:

• Come on Ricky. Tell me please! How long are you going to keep me waiting?
• ALAP!

As Little As Possible

ALAP is typically used with the meaning "As Little As Possible" in response to a question about a quantity or amount. For example:

• You are so lazy!
• That's a lie. I work hard to do ALAP!

Of note, ALAP (written Alap) is also an improvised, unaccompanied prelude to an Indian musical raga.

Image for ALAP

When I write ALAP, I mean this:

As Late As Possible is one of the definitions of ALAP.

Summary of Key Points

"As Late As Possibe, As Long As Possible, or As Little As Possible" is, by far, the most common meaning for ALAP when it is used in a text. (Bear in mind that it could have another meaning if used in a different context.)

ALAP
Definition:	As Late As Possibe, As Long As Possible, or As Little As Possible
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	4: Difficult to guess
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Examples of ALAP in Sentences

Here are examples of the abbreviation ALAP in conversations:

• Tony: What time are you coming in to work tomorrow?
• Jordan: ALAP. It's Danni's party tonight.
(Here, ALAP means "As Late As Possible.")

• Tony: How long do you think you can keep seeing them both?
• Jordan: ALAP!
(Here, ALAP means "As Long As Possible.")

• Tony: What are you going to pay Sam for lending you her car?
• Jordan: ALAP!
(Here, ALAP means "As Little As Possible.")

An Academic Look at ALAP

ALAP is an initialism abbreviation. This means it is pronounced using its individual letters (i.e., "Ay Ell Ay Pee"). (Initialisms contrast with acronyms, which are spoken like words.)

ALAP is normally used as a standalone declarative sentence (i.e., a statement). In other words, it is not typically 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 "As Late As Possible," "As Long As Possible," or "As Little As Possible" instead of using the abbreviation ALAP.

Example of ALAP Used in a Text

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