Main LMAO Meaning Takeaways:
- LMAO means “laughing my ass off.”
- LMAO is appropriate for informal conversations, but is not appropriate for more formal situations
- You can use LMAO instead of LOL when you find something especially funny.
- LMFAO means the same as LMAO. Only it contains the f-word in the middle.
The LMAO meaning is “laughing my ass off” and is an Internet slang staple. This hilarious (and slightly inappropriate) acronym shows up all the time in texts and online messaging. In this article, we’ll cover when it’s appropriate to use and how to do it best.
What Does LMAO Mean?
LMAO is an acronym that means “laughing my ass off.” Some people use it as a synonym for LOL. Grammarians classify LMAO as an interjection because it conveys emotion. It is also a verb since it describes an action. Watch out! It’s best to use LMAOinformal conversations because it contains the word ass. Some might consider this a swear word and take offense. Also, it’s type of textese, or more appropriate in digital communication like text messages, emails, or social media posts.
Sometimes a simple LOL doesn’t truly express your feelings. When you find something hilarious, consider responding with LMAO.
LMAO Pronunciation
Your best bet is to pronounce LMAO by reading each letter from the acronym separately. When reading a text aloud with this word, you would say “el-em-ay-oh.” Some texters also say “luh-may-oh,” but that’s less common.
Is LMAO a Bad Word?
The LMAO meaning can be controversial. It depends on what you consider inappropriate. The ‘a’ in LMAO stands for ass, but some people don’t find that term offensive. It’s often less controversial than dropping _F-bomb_s or other curse words. Plus, LMAO is an acronym, so it doesn’t explicitly spell out any words. Your readers may not realize what the acronym actually represents.
When you Need to Keep it PG: Cleaner Versions of LMAO
- LMAO: Laughing my ass off
- LMBO: Laughing my butt off, laughing my booty off
- ROFL: Rolling on the floor laughing
LMBO is a profanity-free alternative for LMAO. The acronym for LMBO means “laughing my butt off.” Some texters claim it means “laughing my booty off.”
You can also say ROFL, which means “rolling on the floor laughing.”
LMAO Meaning vs. LMFAO
LMAO and LMFAO are basically the same. However, LMFAO is stronger. The ‘F’ in LMFAO stands for the _f-word. That f might mean“freaking ” to some. More often than not, it’s usually reserved for the F-bomb. Both words are better for casual conversations like a chat with friends or family. That’s why we strongly recommend avoiding both at work, other professional settings, and formal occasions.
Examples of When LMAO is Okay to use:
- Social media posts on your personal account
- Texts to friends
- Emails to (some) family members
- Personal blogs
Examples of When LMAO is NOT Okay to use:
- Work
- School
- Meetings with clients
- Professional settings
- Emails to public officials
Texters who use both interjections save LMFAO for hilarious events often. In fact, LMFAO is generally considered a stronger reaction than LMAO because it uses more profanity.
Here are some examples of LMAO vs. LMFAO:
The bottom line: use LOL instead of LMAO or LMFAO when you’re only slightly amused by something.
Should you Capitalize LMAO?
It’s okay to capitalize LMAO. There are no rules that require you to capitalize it. Some write the acronym in lower case letters. Others only capitalize the ‘L’. Whatever you decide, stick with it for your entire text, email, or social media post. Be consistent with your capitalization choice. Whether you capitalize it or not, the LMAO meaning doesn’t change.
Capitalization Options for LMAO:
- LMAO
- Lmao
- lmao
What’s more, you can also add extra letters to whichever version of LMAO you use. This shows that you find something amusing. It’s the slang equivalent of “hahahahaha.”
Quick LMAO Grammar Quiz: Put Your new Skills to the Test
LMAO Meaning Question #1
The answer is TRUE. LMAO is an acronym that means “laughing my ass off.”
LMAO Question #2
The answer is D. LMAO is used in reaction to something considered extremely funny.
LMAO Meaning Question #3
The answer is C. LMAO is acceptable for casual conversations only.
LMAO Text Question #4
Please select 2 correct answers
The answers are A and D. These alternatives don’t contain the word “ass,” which some people find offensive.
good
Thanks sincerely, Ray!
good
Thank you, Sisitha! We appreciate you.
Good
That’s really awesome
Thank you for taking the time to send us such kind words, and for checking out our article. Stay safe and healthy!
good
Thank you! Glad our post was useful.
The greatest
Thank you!
i agree :)))
good job!! this is a very precise definition and a good friendly way to tell it. i also like the advice you put, lol! 🙂
Thanks, Rosebella! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you taking the time to leave us such a nice comment. Thanks again for reading. Best wishes.
Thumbs up from me ?????
Thank you, Lade!
An elaborated definition making the meanings of the abbreviation clearly and how/ where to use it 👍😊
nice
Thank you! We appreciate your kind comment.
lmao nice
Thank you, Esmeray! We’re glad you found our post interesting. If you want to know more about SMS slangs and “textese”, feel free to check out our posts on AFK, IKR, and LOL. Again, thank you for stopping by and reading! 🙂
Rechelle
i think this is very helpful (:
That’s great to know, Kinsley!
Instant messaging has made many of these SMS slangs or “textese” really popular among teenagers and young adults. If you’re interested to know more, check out our articles on AFK and IKR. We appreciate your response and thank you again for reading!
Rechelle
Wow I actually learned
Hi Abigail! We’re glad that you found our article helpful. Here are other posts about SMS jargons and “textese” that you might find interesting:
? LOL Meaning And How To Avoid Looking Bad Using It
IDK Meaning & How To Look Cool Using This Abbreviation
🏃💨⌚ AFK Meaning Plus How To Use It Like A Pro
IKR: What It Means & How To Look Cool When You Use It
Let us know your thoughts and thank you again for stopping by!
what you mean when u said, AFK, did u mean that u were away from ur computer, phone, or iPad rechelle ann fuertes?
Hello Mya! Yes, AFK stands for “away from keyword.”
There’s a wealth of good advice here, Krista has done a great job here which has helped explain the importance of choosing the right words and to avoid spelling errors is far preferable to giving others a misleading impression inviting further trouble?
Thank you for the positive feedback, Eddie!
Really helpful
Thank you, Janosh! Glad that you found our article helpful. Have a great day!