IABW

What Does IABW Mean in a Text?

The Quick Answer

IABW means "In a Bad Way."

More Observations...

The abbreviation IABW is a way of saying someone or something is in a poor state, either physically, emotionally or mentally.

Image for IABW

When I write IABW, I mean this:

The Trans-Amazonian Highway is IABW.

Summary of Key Points

"In a Bad Way" is, by far, the most common meaning for IABW when it is used in a text. (Bear in mind that it could have another meaning if used in a different context.)

IABW
Definition:	In a Bad Way
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	4: Difficult to guess
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Examples of IABW in Sentences

Here are examples of IABW in conversations:

• Niall: Did you get your car serviced?
• Alfie: Yeah. The mechanic said the bodywork is fine, but the engine is IABW.

• Saul: How's Steve after he got dumped?
• Andrew: He's IABW. I'm quite worried about him.

An Academic Look at IABW

IABW is an an adjectival phrase (i.e., a group of words that function as an adjective in a sentence). An adjective is a describing word.

What Did We Say before Texting and Social Media?

Before the digital era, we might have said something like "Not good" or "Struggling" instead of using IABW.

Example of IABW Used in a Text

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