What Does STM Mean in a Text?
The Quick Answer
STM means "Smiling To Myself," "Short-Term Memory" and "Stepper Motor."More Detail...
The abbreviation STM is most commonly used in online chat and text messaging with the meaning "Smiling To Myself." However, it also has several other meanings that may be encountered online, including "Short Term Memory" and "Stepper Motor." Below we take a look at each definition of STM in a little more detail.Smiling To Myself
The most common definition of STM in text messaging and online chat is "Smiling To Myself." In this context, STM is an indication of amusement. It is typically used sarcastically to imply that the sender found something funny, but not very funny. In this respect, STM is similar to abbreviations such as LOI (Laughing On The Inside) and SALTS (Smiled a Little Then Stopped).Short-Term Memory
STM also means "Short Term Memory." In this context, STM is information that a person has very recently acquired and is currently thinking about or is aware of. STM is widely believed to be restricted to a very limited number of items and to last for less than a minute.Stepper Motor
In photography, STM is widely used to refer to a Canon lens with "Stepper Motor" technology. According to Canon, STM lenses have a quieter and smoother focus system that allows for near-silent focusing during video recording.Image for STM
When I write STM, I mean this:
![meaning of STM](../IMT_images/STM_definition.jpg)
STM also means "Short-Term Memory" and "Stepper Motor."
Summary of Key Points
First Definition for STM
"Smiling To Myself" is, by far, the most common meaning for STM when it is used in a text. (Bear in mind that it could have another meaning if used in a different context.)STM | |
---|---|
Definition: | Smiling To Myself |
Type: | Abbreviation |
Guessability: | ![]() 4: Difficult to guess |
Typical Users: | ![]() Adults and Teenagers |
Second Definition for STM
"Short-Term Memory" is another common definition for STM.STM | |
---|---|
Definition: | Short Term Memory |
Type: | Abbreviation |
Guessability: | ![]() 4: Difficult to guess |
Typical Users: | ![]() Adults |
Third Definition for STM
"Stepper Motor" is a common definition for STM in photography.STM | |
---|---|
Definition: | Stepper Motor |
Type: | Abbreviation |
Guessability: | ![]() 5: Extremely difficult to guess |
Typical Users: | ![]() Specialists |
Examples of STM in Sentences
Here are examples of STM in conversations:- Cody: I was addicted to the Hokey Cokey. Luckily, I turned myself around.
- Jill: STM. But, not much. (Here, STM means "Smiling To Myself.")
- Clive: My STM is terrible.
- June: How terrible is it?
- Clive: How terrible is what? (Here, STM means "Short-Term Memory.")
An Academic Look at STM
As it is pronounced using its individual letters (i.e., "Ess Tee Emm"), STM is classified as an initialism abbreviation. However, STM is not often spoken using its letters. It is usually employed for efficiency in writing and not for efficiency in speech.What Did We Say before Texting and Social Media?
Before the digital era, we might have said something like "I'm laughing inside" instead of using STM with the meaning "Smiling To Myself."Example of STM Used in a Text
STM
You might also like...
BSOF (big smile on face)
DFTS (don't forget to smile)
SALTS (smiled a little then stopped)
SMIZE (smile with your eyes)
TMMS (that made me smile)
VBS (very big smile)
YMMS (you make me smile)
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