NSFW

What Does NSFW Mean?

NSFW means "Not Safe For Work." It can also mean "Not Suitable For Work." Here is more information about the definition of NSFW, with examples of use.

Not Safe For Work / Not Suitable For Work

The abbreviation NSFW is typically sent in the title of a message to let the recipient know that it should not be viewed in an environment where it could be seen by colleagues, as the content could cause offense.

NSFW is generally accepted to mean "Not Safe For Work," but is sometimes expanded as "Not Suitable For Work." In any case, it is sent to warn of message content that is inappropriate for the workplace.

Messages that are NSFW typically contain adult humor or pornographic images. For example:
  • Ali: Send me the pictures you took last night.
  • Sam: They're on the way. Be careful with them! I've put NSFW in the title.
  • Lee: Toni has sent me an email with some great jokes. I'll send it to you.
  • Terry: Great! But mark it NSFW so it will be filtered into my personal account.
Other abbreviations with the a similar meaning to NSFW include: Personal messages that can be viewed in a work environment are sometimes marked as SFW ("Safe For Work").

Image for NSFW

When I write NSFW, I mean this: meaning of NSFW He should not have opened that message marked NSFW!

Summary of Key Points for the First Definition

"Not Safe for Work" is the most common definition for NSFW on TikTok, Snapchat, WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
NSFW
Definition:Not Safe for Work
Type:Abbreviation
Guessability:
2: Quite easy to guess
Typical Users:
Adults and Teenagers

Summary of Key Points for the Second Definition

NSFW is also defined as "Not Suitable for Work."
NSFW
Definition:Not Suitable for Work
Type:Abbreviation
Guessability:
2: Quite easy to guess
Typical Users:
Adults and Teenagers

More...

An Academic Look at NSFW

NSFW is an initialism abbreviation. Technically, this means it is pronounced using its individual letters (i.e., En Ess Eff Dublyu), but as this is harder to say than "Not Safe for Work," it is not said using its letters. NSFW is used for efficiency in writing and not efficiency in speech.

NSFW is typically used as a standalone declarative sentence, the full meaning of which is "This is not safe for work." Occasionally, it is used as a subject complement. For example:
  • This link is NSFW.
    • (Here, This link is the subject, is is the linking verb, and NSFW is the subject complement.)

Example of NSFW Used in a Text

NSFW

Help Us To Improve Cyber Definitions

  • Do you disagree with something on this page?
  • Did you spot a typo?
  • Do you know a slang term that we've missed?
Please tell us using this form.

See Also

Ways to Say I Love You Text-Speak Using Numbers S2S (safe to say, sorry to say) SAFE (cool, no problem, thanks, trustworthy) SSC (safe, sane, consensual) WORKATION (working vacation) WORKTATION (working vacation)