TLA

What Does TLA Mean in a Text?

The Quick Answer

TLA means "Three Letter Abbreviation" or "Three Letter Acronym."

More Detail...

The abbreviation TLA is used with the meanings "Three Letter Abbreviation" or "Three Letter Acronym" to refer to a phrase or term represented by three letters. TLAs are widely used for speed in speech and in writing. Well-known examples of TLAs include: DOS (Disk Operating System), FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) , UFO (Unidentified Flying Object) and, of course, TLA itself.

Image for TLA

When I write TLA, I mean this:

TLA also means "Three Letter Acronym."

Summary of Key Points

First Definition for TLA

TLA means "Three Letter Abbreviation." This is the most common definition for TLA in texting and on messaging apps like Instagram and TikTok.

TLA
Definition:	Three Letter Abbreviation
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	2: Quite easy to guess
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Second Definition for TLA

TLA also means "Three Letter Acronym":

TLA
Definition:	Three Letter Acronym
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	2: Quite easy to guess
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Examples of TLA in Sentences

Here are examples of TLA in conversations:

• Kelly: I'm going for a CAT scan tomorrow.
• Bill: TLA for Computer Axial Tomography?

• Stan: My car has LEDs.
• Zac: Is that a TLA for Light Emitting Diode?

An Academic Look at TLA

As it is pronounced using its individual letters (i.e., "Tee Ell Ay"), TLA is classified as an initialism abbreviation. Initialisms are different to acronyms, which are spoken like words. "Three Letter Abbreviation" and "Three Letter Acronym" are noun phrases. A noun phrase is a phrase that plays the role of a noun.

What Did We Say before Texting and Social Media?

The use of the abbreviation TLA to mean "Three Letter Abbreviation" and "Three Letter Acronym" pre-dates the digital era.

Example of TLA Used in a Text

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