What Does LOL Mean in a Text?
The Quick Answer
LOL means "Laughing Out Loud."More Observations...
LOL (more often typed and spoken as "lol") is probably the oldest abbreviation used to express amusement. It emerged with the advent of online communication and has become emblematic of the digital era. Initially found in early internet chat rooms and text messages, LOL served as a succinct way to convey amusement or laughter in text form. Over time, it transcended its origins, becoming ubiquitous across various platforms including social media, texting, and instant messaging. The usage of LOL has expanded and evolved; it can denote genuine laughter, mild amusement, or even be used sarcastically or ironically. Although now often sneered at, the enduring appeal of LOL lies in its ability to succinctly convey a universal human expression within the evolving digital communication landscape. Through iterations like "lolz" and "lulz," LOL continues to reflect changing online linguistic trends while retaining its recognizable meaning and utility. For a detailed look at this enduring abbreviation, check out our page dedicated to LOL.Image for LOL
When I write LOL, I mean this:

LOL refuses to die!
Summary of Key Points
We have summarized the key points in the table below:LOL | |
---|---|
Definition: | Laughing Out Loud |
Type: | Acronym and Abbreviation |
Guessability: | ![]() 1: Easy to guess |
Typical Users: | ![]() Adults, Teenagers, and Under 13s |
An Academic Look at LOL
LOL is both an initialism abbreviation and an acronym. It is an initialism because it can be pronounced one letter at a time, but it is also an acronym, as it is formed by taking the initial letters of the words "Laughing Out Loud" and pronouncing them together as a single word, "lol." Other examples of acronyms are:- NASA - "National Aeronautics and Space Administration."
- UNICEF - "United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund."
The Evolution of "LOL"
This video shows the evolution of the term "LOL" and the various laughing emojis:Example of LOL Used in a Text
LOL
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ALOL (actually laughing out loud)
IJBOL (I just burst out laughing)
LOLED (laughed out loud (i.e. the past tense of LOL))
LOLZ (laugh out loud with sarcasm)
ROTFLOL (rolling on the floor laughing out loud)
NLOL (not lol)
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