FBI

What Does FBI Mean in a Text?

The Quick Answer

FBI means "Federal Bureau of Investigation" and "Forget 'Bout It."

Federal Bureau of Investigation

The abbreviation FBI is recognized throughout the world as the initials of the "Federal Bureau of Investigation," the domestic intelligence and security service of the US, and its primary federal law enforcement agency.

Forget 'Bout It

In online and text-based chat, FBI is used with the meaning "Forget 'Bout It." For example:

Sam: What's the matter?
Lee: FBI. It doesn't matter.

Ali: What do I owe you for it?
Mel: FBI. It's my way of saying thanks.

The same instruction is also communicated with the abbreviations FAI ("Forget About It") and FI ("Forget It").

Image for FBI

When I write FBI, I mean this:

FBI also means "Forget 'Bout It."

Summary of Key Points for the First Definition

"Federal Bureau of Investigation" is, by far, the most common meaning for FBI when it is used in a text. (Bear in mind that it could have another meaning if used in a different context.)

FBI
Definition:	Federal Bureau of Investigation
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	3: Guessable
Typical Users:	Adults, Teenagers, and Under 13s

Summary of Key Points for the Second Definition

"Forget 'Bout It" is another definition for FBI.

FBI
Definition:	Forget 'Bout It
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	3: Guessable
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

An Academic Look at FBI

When used with the meaning "Federal Bureau of Investigation" FBI is classified as an initialism abbreviation, as it is pronounced using its individual letters (i.e., "Eff Bee Eye"). When used with the meaning "Forget 'Bout It," FBI can still be classified as an initilism, even though the first letter of the word "about" has been dropped. Initialisms are different to acronyms, which are abbreviations spoken as words (e.g., LOL, NATO).