FML

What Does FML Mean?

FML means "F*ck My Life."

The abbreviation FML is used with the meaning "F*ck My Life" as an exclamation of annoyance or frustration when things are not going well. Although usually meant as a joke, FML can sometimes be used seriously, especially in response to a run of bad luck or the ending of a relationship. For example:
  • Cloe: Rick has asked Rachel to go to the prom with him.
  • Pat: But I was waiting for him to ask me! FML!
  • Joanna: Are you coming to the gig next week?
  • Shelby: Mom says I'm grounded because of what happened last Saturday. FML!
The origins of the phrase "F*ck My Life" are unknown. However, the abbreviation FML was popularized in 2009 with the launch of the website www.fmylife.com, which contains user-generated stories of bad fortune. All of the stories end with FML. For example:
  • "Today, my boyfriend of 4 years, whom I just signed a year lease, broke up with me, exactly a week after my best friend's funeral in my last year of college. I can't afford to live in our apartment alone. I'm going to have to drop out and move in with my sister states away. FML." (Anon. December 2022.)
Extra emphasis is often added to FML by adding the letter "A" to represent the word "Actual," to make FMAL ("F*ck My Actual Life").

Video Summarizing FML

Here's a short video explaining how to use FML:
In 2020, American rapper, singer, and songwriter Arizona Zervas released a track called "FML" on his "Living Facts" album:

Arizona Zervas - FML (EXPLICIT LYRICS)

Image for FML

When I write FML, I mean this: meaning of FML FML usually indicates that someone is having a bad day.

Summary of Key Points

"F*ck My Life" is the most common definition for FML on Snapchat, WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Here is some more information about FML:
FML
Definition:F*ck My Life
Type:Abbreviation
Guessability:
3: Guessable
Typical Users:
Adults and Teenagers

More...

An Academic Look at FML

FML is classified as an initialism abbreviation, as it is pronounced using its individual letters (i.e., "Eff Emm Ell").

Initialisms are different to acronyms, which are abbreviations spoken as words (e.g., GOAT, NATO).

FML is used as an interjection. Interjections are words used to express feeling or emotion. They can be standalone or used as part of a sentence (usually at the start).

An interjection can end in an exclamation mark to express a strong feeling or emotion. For example:
  • They blame me for the midterm results and the attack on the Capitol, they are going to release my tax returns, and Ron DeSanctimonious is beating me in the polls. FML!

    • What Did We Say before Texting and Social Media?

    Before the digital era, we might have just said something like "I hate my life" instead of using FML.

    Example of FML Used in a Text

    FML

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    See Also

    ALG (ain't life grand) LGO (life goes on) LITS (life is too short) MLIA (my life is average) MLIB (my life is bro (good)) MLIG (my life is good) MLIM (my life is magic) MLIT (my life is Twilight) MLS (major league soccer, my life sucks)