lol: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very High (in informal digital contexts)Informal, Slang, Digital Communication
Quick answer
What does “lol” mean?
An initialism for 'laughing out loud' or 'laugh out loud', used primarily in digital communication to indicate amusement.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An initialism for 'laughing out loud' or 'laugh out loud', used primarily in digital communication to indicate amusement.
Also functions as a discourse particle to soften statements, express irony, or acknowledge a message without genuine laughter.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core usage. Some data suggests British English may use 'lol' more frequently as a discourse particle (e.g., 'lol, I don't know'), while American English may retain the original laughing meaning slightly more, but the distinction is minimal.
Connotations
Universally informal. Using it in formal contexts is seen as unprofessional.
Frequency
Extremely frequent in online/text communication for all age groups familiar with digital culture. Declining use among younger demographics who may prefer newer terms (e.g., 'lmao').
Grammar
How to Use “lol” in a Sentence
[Subject] + lol (+ at + [Object])lol + , + [Clause]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “lol” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- I lol'd at that tweet.
- He was loling for a good minute.
American English
- I loled so hard at that meme.
- We were loling during the entire video call.
adverb
British English
- He said it lol, but I think he was serious.
American English
- She typed 'ok lol' and ended the conversation.
adjective
British English
- That was a lol moment.
- It's a very lol story.
American English
- That video is pure lol gold.
- She's in a lol mood today.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Inappropriate. Use 'That's amusing' or a smiley emoji cautiously.
Academic
Inappropriate. Use standard language to describe humour.
Everyday
Ubiquitous in informal text messages, social media, and casual online chats.
Technical
Only used in technical contexts discussing internet linguistics or digital communication.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “lol”
- Writing 'LOL' in all caps can appear aggressive or dated. Lowercase 'lol' is more common now.
- Using it in formal emails or academic papers.
- Incorrect spelling: 'loll', 'lawl'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It originated as an initialism (Laughing Out Loud) but is now considered a word in its own right, found in dictionaries and used as a verb ('to lol').
Not always. Its primary function has shifted. Often, it's used as a social signal of friendliness or to soften a message, rather than to indicate actual laughter.
They are on a scale of intensity. 'Lol' is the mildest (chuckle). 'LMAO' (Laughing My A** Off) and 'ROFL' (Rolling On the Floor Laughing) suggest stronger, more physical laughter, though they are also often used hyperbolically.
While still extremely common, some younger internet users consider it slightly dated or associated with older millennials. Newer terms like 'lmao', '💀', or specific reaction GIFs are often preferred.
An initialism for 'laughing out loud' or 'laugh out loud', used primarily in digital communication to indicate amusement.
Lol is usually informal, slang, digital communication in register.
Lol: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɛl.əʊˈɛl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɛl.oʊˈɛl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “lolcat (a genre of meme featuring cats with humorous text)”
- “lol-worthy (something deserving of a lol)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a laughing face: 'LOL' looks like two eyes (L L) and a big open laughing mouth (O).
Conceptual Metaphor
LAUGHTER IS A WRITTEN ACRONYM / COMMUNICATION IS A GAME (used playfully).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST appropriate context for using 'lol'?