RIYL

What Does RIYL Mean in a Text?

The Quick Answer

RIYL means "Recommended If You Like."

More Observations...

While the English is a bit distorted, RIYL is a common term used online to show approval for something. (It means "I recommend this.")

Image for RIYL

When I write RIYL, I mean this:

"Recommended if you like" denotes that something is so good it's worth sharing.

Summary of Key Points

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

RIYL
Definition:	Recommended If You Like
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	2: Quite easy to guess
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Examples of RIYL in Sentences

Here is an example of RIYL in a conversation:

• Tony: There were 4 bands: Tectonic Turtles, Terrible Tortoise, Rastafarian Reptile RIYL and Archaic Arachnid.
• Jordan: Hey, Rastafarian Reptile are here next month.

An Academic Look at RIYL

RIYL is used as a declarative sentence with the meaning "I recommend this." Of note, RIYL is an initialism abbreviation. Technically, this means it is pronounced using its individual letters (i.e., Ar Aye Wye El), but as this is harder to say than "Recommended If You Like," it is not often uttered using its letters. (In other words, the abbreviation RIYL is for efficiency in writing and not efficiency in speech.)

What Did We Say before Texting and Social Media?

Before the digital era, we might have said something like "I can recommend this" instead of RIYL.

Example of RIYL Used in a Text

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