SOS

What Does SOS Mean in a Text?

SOS means "Save Our Souls" or "Save Our Ship" It is the international distress signal.

The letters SOS are the international distress signal, used by shipping when in immediate danger and widely recognized as a cry for help, whether spoken, sent as a text message, or by flashing a light or arranging objects to spell out the letters. For example:
  • SOS. We are sinking three nautical miles southeast of the Portland Head light.
  • SOS. I have run out of hair gel. Has anyone got some spare?
The letters SOS were adopted as the international distress signal in Morse code at the International Radiotelegraphic Convention, held in Berlin in 1906. Subsequently, the meanings "Save Our Souls" and "Save Our Ship" were ascribed to SOS, but these are both unofficial definitions. SOS was chosen because it is easy to send and could not be confused with other messages. In Morse code, SOS is sent as an unbroken sequence of letters with no spaces (i.e., as ...---...).

Prior to 1906, the most widely recognized distress signal in use was CQD.

Image for SOS

When I write SOS, I mean this:

meaning of SOS

"Save Our Souls"

Summary of Key Points for First Definition

"Save Our Souls" is the most common definition for SOS on Snapchat, WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
SOS
Definition:Save Our Souls
Type:Abbreviation
Guessability:guessability level 1
1: Easy to guess
Typical Users:typical user

Adults and Teenagers

Summary of Key Points for Second Definition

"Save Our Ship" is another common definition for SOS.
SOS
Definition:Save Our Ship
Type:Abbreviation
Guessability:guessability level 1
1: Easy to guess
Typical Users:typical user

Adults and Teenagers

Example of SOS Used in a Text

SOS
author logo

This page is maintained by the Cyber Definitions Editorial Team.

Help Us 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.

Quiz

Try our fun quiz to test your knowledge of slang and texting abbreviations.
gold cup
Gold

gold cup
Silver

gold cup
Bronze

0
  • This test has questions.
  • A correct answer is worth 5 points.
  • You can get up to 5 bonus points for a speedy answer.
  • Some questions demand more than one answer. You must get every part right.
  • Beware! Wrong answers score 0 points.
  • 🏆 If you beat one of the top 3 scores, you will be invited to apply for the Hall of Fame.
Scoring System

Cyber Guru (+)
Cyber Hero (+)
Cyber Captain (+)
Cyber Sergeant (+)
Cyber Recruit (+)