LYLAF

What Does LYLAF Mean in a Text?

Expressing Love in a Text

There are over 100 novel ways to express love in a text message. Some of them were invented by the iKids (i.e., Millennials, Generation Z, and Generation A), making them just a few decades old, but many of them have been around for centuries. Here's the one that matters to you: LYLAF means "Love You Like a Friend."

More Observations...

LYLAF means "Love You Like A Friend." The abbreviation LYLAF is usually considered a diplomatic way of making it clear that you have no interest in a romantic relationship. It is sometimes used as a response to the abbreviation ILY and other such declarations of love.

Image for LYLAF

When I write LYLAF, I mean this:

"Love You Like A Friend"

Summary of Key Points

"Love You Like a Friend" is, by far, the most common meaning for LYLAF when it is used in a text. (Bear in mind that it could have another meaning if used in a different context.)

LYLAF
Definition:	Love You Like a Friend
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	3: Guessable
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Examples of LYLAF in Sentences

Here are examples of LYLAF in conversations:

Bob: These days I can't stop thinking of you.
Suzy: Thanks Bob. I really LYLAF too.

Alison: I think we could be much more than friends.
Sam: I really LYLAF, Ali.

An Academic Look at LYLAF

LYLAF is an initialism abbreviation. Technically, this means it is pronounced using its individual letters (i.e., Ell Wye Ell Eh Eff), but as this is harder to say than "Love You Like A Friend" it is not often uttered using its letters. In other words, the abbreviation LYLAF is for efficiency in writing and not efficiency in speech. The abbreviation LYLAF is normally used as a standalone declarative sentence (i.e., a statement) with the meaning "Love You Like A Friend." LYLAF is not often used as another part of speech within a wider sentence.