W8

What Does W8 Mean?

W8 means "Wait." The cyber term W8 most typically means "wait" or "wait for." For example:
  • I can't W8!
  • W8 me.
    • (Here, W8 means "wait for.")
Although far less common, W8 can also mean "weight." For example:
  • Have you been losing W8?

Image for W8

When I write W8, I mean this: meaning of W8 W8 usually means "wait," but it can also mean "weight."

Summary of Key Points

"Wait" is the most common definition for W8 on Snapchat, WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
W8
Definition:Wait
Type:Abbreviation
Guessability:
2: Quite easy to guess
Typical Users:
Adults and Teenagers

More...

Examples of W8 in Sentences

Here are examples of W8 being used in conversations:
  • Tony: I will W8 in the carpark.
  • Jordan: Okay.
  • Mother: Why are gaining so much W8? Are you spending your dinner money on crisps again?
  • Son: Crisps are sliced vegetables cooked in vegetable oil. They must be good for you.

An Academic Look at W8

W8 is typically used as an imperative verb (i.e., an order) asking someone to wait. When used to mean "weight," it is a noun.

Of note, W8 is defined as a cyber term because some of its characters are used as substitutes for letters. Most cyber terms were introduced to reduce the number of key strokes required to write the word, but since the arrival of predictive texting and keyboards on mobile devices, this efficiency is no longer required. Nevertheless, cyber terms are still regularly used to make messages more entertaining or to express individuality. Cyber terms differ from icons because they are not pictorial representations.

What Did We Say before Texting and Social Media?

Before the digital era, we might have said something like "hang on a second" or "hold your horses" instead of W8.

Using Numbers in Texts

This video shows the different ways that numbers are used in "text speak":

Example of W8 Used in a Text

W8

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See Also

CUL8ER (see you later) CUL8R (see you later) CYL8R (see you later) D8 (date) F8 (fate) G8 (great) GR8 (great) GR9 (even better than gr8) H8 (hate) H8R (hater) I8 (aight, aite, alright) IH8U (i hate you) L8 (late) L8ER (later) L8R G8R (later gator) L8R (later) L8TR (later) M8 (mate) M9 (best mate (i.e., one better than a m8)) N8 (night) Q8 (kuwait) SK8 (skate) SK8R (skater) STR8 (straight) W8AM (wait a minute) XLR8 (accelerate) Using the currency symbols