40 Popular Email Abbreviations and Their Meanings

Abbreviations have become such an everyday part of our vernacular that we hardly even stop and think about whether other people know what they mean. Because of that, you can sometimes end up using email abbreviations incorrectly without even realizing it until someone gently corrects you.

That can lead to some awkward moments, not to mention embarrassment on your part.

Well, not anymore! In this blog post, we’ll expand on commonly used email abbreviations, their usage, and examples to help you understand the emails from your colleagues or boss.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Understanding email abbreviations is paramount to proper usage while maintaining professionalism and streamlining professional email communications.
Email abbreviations in business emails should have a balance between efficiency and clarity.

Understanding Email Abbreviations

Email abbreviations are short-form expressions used in business messages. They’re not necessarily informal or slang abbreviations, as neither is appropriate in a business setting.

So, what is the purpose of email abbreviations? There are plenty!

Abbreviations can be used in time-sensitive manners to convey information quickly. They also build well into your company culture.

Common Email Abbreviations and Acronyms and Their Meanings

Are you ready to see which email abbreviations are appropriate for the workplace? Don’t miss this list!

1. FYI

What it means: For your information
How to use the abbreviation: Announces something important but casually.
Example: “FYI, I will be out of the office next Friday, so please forward any requests to Ben.”

2. ASAP

What it means: As soon as possible
How to use the abbreviation: Used when you need something quickly.
Example: “Please email me the assignment ASAP.”

3. EOD

What it means: End of the day
How to use the abbreviation: Refers to a request intended for the end of the business day.
Example: “I will have the report ready to go by EOD tomorrow.”

4. CC

What it means: Carbon copy
How to use the abbreviation: When you add someone else to the email who you want to see the information but don’t require a response from.
Example: “I CC’ed Jane about the project.”

5. BCC

What it means: Blind carbon copy
How to use the abbreviation: When you send an email to someone, you don’t require a response from them and want their email information hidden for privacy reasons.
Example: “Bob asked me to BCC him on this email.”

6. NRN

What it means: No reply necessary
How to use the abbreviation: Used when you don’t require a response to your email to reduce inbox clutter in both your inbox and that of your colleague.
Example: “I’ll get back to you about it on Monday. NRN.”

7. TL;DR

What it means: Too long; didn’t read
How to use the abbreviation: If someone sends a massive wall of text too long to sift through, this is a response you can use to let them know.
Example: “That email was TL;DR. Can you paraphrase your points?”

8. Y/N

What it means: Yes/no
How to use the abbreviation: Requests a yes/no answer to a question.
Example: “Will you be at Tuesday’s meeting at 11 o’clock? Y/N?”

9. YTD

What it means: Year to date
How to use the abbreviation: Refers to the ongoing fiscal or calendar year and may be used to analyze data or trends.
Example: “Can you please email me that report with the YTD data? Thank you.”

10. OOO

What it means: Out of office
How to use the abbreviation: Lets your colleagues know you will be out of the office; you may still check your emails and be responsive or get back to everyone during the next business day.
Example: “Please note that I will be OOO from Friday to Tuesday of next week, the 27^th.”

11. VSRE

What it means: Very short reply expected
How to use the abbreviation: Requests that the recipient keeps their response brief for space constraints or to save time.
Example: “Can you explain what I missed during today’s meeting? VSRE, please.”

12. PS

What it means: Postscript
How to use the abbreviation: This common email abbreviation is used to write an additional point not covered in the main body of the email.
Example: “PS: I’m excited about the new hire!”

13. PPS

What it means: Post postscript
How to use the abbreviation: Refers to a second talking point added to the end of an email following a PS.
Example: “PPS: Please let me know if I can help with her onboarding in any way.”

14. TBF

What it means: To be forwarded
How to use the abbreviation: Used to confirm that you’ll forward an email to another colleague.
Example: Thanks for getting that to me. TBF to Sally tomorrow.”

15. OT

What it means: Off-topic
How to use the abbreviation: When rapidly switching subjects within workplace constraints.
Example: “OT from the topic of this month’s revenue, but did anybody hear back about the status of the newsletter?”

16. TSFW

What it means: Totally/technically safe for work
How to use the abbreviation: You should only share TSFW content at work to help everyone keep their jobs and avoid landing in hot water with HR!
Example: “I’m attaching some photos to this email. Don’t worry – they’re TSFW!”

17. Mx.

What it means: Gender binary greeting
How to use the abbreviation: This honorific can be used for men and women in exchange for Mr. or Ms./Mrs.
Example: “I sent the email to Mx. Johnson earlier this week but still have yet to hear back.”

18. RR

What it means: Reply required/requested
How to use the abbreviation: Lets the recipient know you expect them to respond to your email, even if there isn’t a query.
Example: “I appreciate you getting back to me on this matter so quickly. Please let me know when you can send the report. RR.”

19. GIF

Danny Devito Work GIF by QuickBooks — *Image courtesy of* *Giphy*

What it means: Graphics interchange format
How to use the abbreviation: Refers to an animated image; people are divided over how to pronounce it.
Example: “I think our CTA button should be a GIF to attract more clicks.”

20. PRB

What it means: Please reply by
How to use the abbreviation: Tells the recipient when you need them to get back to you.
Example: “PRB no later than Friday afternoon with your plans. I’m looking forward to the update.”

21. EOM

What it means: End of message
How to use the abbreviation: Conclude an email or a subject line with EOM to denote that the entire message is viewable without opening it.
Example: “Submit all project updates by EOD for review before tomorrow’s meeting”

22. PFA

What it means: Please find the attachment
How to use the abbreviation: Refers to an attachment you’ve included in the email, and can confirm if you had any issues sending the attachment (such as file size or format) if the recipient doesn’t get it.
Example: “PFA below of last quarter’s earnings. Please let me know if you have any questions.”

23. TYT

What it means: Take your time
How to use the abbreviation: Tells the recipient you’re not in any rush.
Example: “TYT on the report. The stakeholders aren’t coming until the last week of June, so we have plenty of time!”

24. NNTR

What it means: No need to respond
How to use the abbreviation: Another variation on NRN that’s used the same way.
Example: “Okay, great. Looking forward to speaking to you tomorrow. NNTR.”

25. FWIW

What it means: For what it’s worth
How to use the abbreviation: Lets you insert your opinion without coming across as though you’re bragging.
Example: “FWIW, I think the original method might work better.”

26. NT

What it means: No text
How to use the abbreviation: Used when your email has no text, letting the recipient know.
Example: “Be aware this email is NT.”

27. LMK

What it means: Let me know
How to use the abbreviation: To ask someone to tell you about a subject at hand.
Example: “LMK if he’s coming into work today or if I have to cover for him.”

28. NWR

What it means: Not work-related
How to use the abbreviation: Helps people sift through emails that might not be related to the ongoing project or task.
Example: “This is a little NWR, but did you see the game last night?”

29. NSFW

What it means: Not safe for work
How to use the abbreviation: Announces and warns against profane content that may be religious, political, or sexual in nature.
Example: “Please ignore that email from this morning. It’s NSFW! Just delete it without opening it.”

30. EOW

What it means: End of week
How to use the abbreviation: When you need something completed by the end of the week.
Example: “Here is your next assignment. Can you get it to me by EOW, or do you need it by early next week?”

31. NYR-NBD

What it means: Need your response – next business day
How to use the abbreviation: A more complex abbreviation that mashes two together, NYR-NBD is used when you need a reply sooner than later.
Example: “This is an urgent matter, so NYR-NBD, please!”

32. WFH

What it means: Work from home/working from home
How to use the abbreviation: Refers to an employee working from home, either for that day or permanently.
Example: “I’m WFH on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, so that can impact when we’ll have our meeting.”

33. NYRQ

What it means: Need your response quick
How to use the abbreviation: This is another way to ask for a reply as soon as possible.
Example: “Is today’s meeting at 1 p.m. or 2? NYRQ!”

34. HTH

What it means: Hope that helps
How to use the abbreviation: A positive sentiment used when trying to be helpful.
Example: “Oh, it’s easy to uninstall that program. Here’s how you do it…HTH!”

35. LET

What it means: Leaving early today
How to use the abbreviation: Woohoo! Let everyone know you’ll be exiting the office before closing hours with this acronym.
Example: “Just to let you know, I’ll be LET at 4 p.m. I’ll be back in the office tomorrow normal time.”

36. IAM

What it means: In a meeting
How to use the abbreviation: Tells email recipients you’re currently indisposed in a meeting.
Example: “Can’t help with this right now; IAM. Talk to you in two hours.”

37. FAO

What it means: For the attention of
How to use the abbreviation: Alert the correct party with this abbreviation, whether they’re the primary email recipient or are CC’d
Example: “FAO Shirley. This email is about your requested promotion.”

38. FYR

What it means: For your reference
How to use the abbreviation: Often accompanies a message with follow-up info.
Example: “FYR, I’ve reattached last quarter’s report. Please review and let me know if you have any questions.”

39. FYG

What it means: For your guidance
How to use the abbreviation: Appears in subject lines where you’re providing information needed for a project or job.
Example: “FYG, project information inside”

40. AR

What it means: Action required
How to use the abbreviation: Asks for the recipient to take action, whether to respond, forward the email, or send in completed work.
Example: “AR required. Please get back to me about your status for tomorrow’s meeting.”

When to Use Email Abbreviations

Abbreviations help you convey information quickly and succinctly, but that doesn’t always mean they’re the right way to communicate.

When contemplating whether to respond using an abbreviation, ask yourself these questions.

Is this appropriate for the workplace?
Does the recipient understand abbreviations? If so, do they know this abbreviation?
Does an acronym suit the overall tone of the email?

I would not recommend using an abbreviation if you answered “no” to any of the questions. After all, the time you spend deliberating could be used to spell out the long-form phrase.

Potential Pitfalls of Using Email Abbreviations

There’s a reason we don’t constantly communicate through email using abbreviations and other shorthand. Going overboard can be risky for these reasons.

Perceived unprofessionalism

Whether you work remotely or in an office, you have certain expectations to live up to when you’re on the clock. Professionalism is paramount among them.

Some managers and supervisors may perceive the overuse of abbreviations as unprofessional, especially when communicating with clients, customers, or vendors. It’s the same as emojis; although they have their business usage, you have to go sparingly.

Misunderstandings

Everybody knows what FYI and TL;DR mean by now, but there are some more obscure work abbreviations; therefore, not everyone grasps their meaning.

You might be using the abbreviation correctly, and the other person isn’t. Either way, misunderstandings can easily arise if you’re not on the same page about using an abbreviation.

More mistakes

What happens when office miscommunications become commonplace? Mistakes get made left, right, and center. Your colleague misses a meeting because they misinterpreted an abbreviation. You didn’t turn in a report on time because you thought your manager’s abbreviation meant you could submit it next week.

These kinds of mistakes are unnecessary and completely avoidable. Once someone higher up catches wind of what’s happening, they may ban abbreviations altogether to stop impeding productivity.

Too much jargon

Most companies would agree that jargon isn’t good, as it comes across as exclusionary rather than inclusionary. It’s fine to use abbreviations occasionally, but if someone entering the company feels like you’re talking in another language with all your abbreviations, maybe it’s time to cut back.

Ultimately, avoiding these issues in your small business requires you to consider these points and their risks carefully, considering when you might be leaning on abbreviations too much and reducing usage accordingly.

Best Practices for Using Email Abbreviations

Using shorthand email abbreviations has its plusses, but how do you begin incorporating them into your communications moving forward? Here is some guidance.

Introduce abbreviations to the team

To reduce miscommunication, have a short sit-down meeting with your team members to explain the above email abbreviations, including what they mean and how to use them.

You don’t have to use all 40, of course, only the ones appropriate to your office culture and how you work.

Ensuring everyone is on the same page regarding how abbreviations work will make their deployment more successful.

Focus on clarity

The goal of using email abbreviations is to send messages faster. However, don’t let your hastiness get in the way of clarity. A response that’s only an abbreviation isn’t really helpful to the recipient.

You’ll waste even more time explaining your intentions as you ping-pong replies back and forth.

Provide context with your abbreviations, if necessary, so the recipient understands what you’re trying to say the first time.

Maintain professionalism

Unlike LOL, the abbreviations above are intended for professional use but can still be used unprofessionally if you riddle every email with them. Curtail your usage.

Create rules

You might limit acronyms and abbreviations to one per email or subject line, or you may not allow abbreviations when emailing a prospective client, vendor, or partner.

Having rules will keep email operations streamlined and professional. Consider briefing your team on the rules when introducing abbreviations and acronyms.

Conclusion

Incorporating email abbreviations and acronyms into business communication can be a great way to communicate quickly. However, above all else, you cannot sacrifice clarity or professionalism.

Introducing abbreviations within a team or organization will keep all parties on the same page, ensuring you can reap more of the benefits of shorthand emails.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What essential email abbreviations should every small business owner know?

The most important email acronyms and abbreviations are related to promptness and efficiency, such as ASAP, EOD, EOW, FYR, and NYRQ.

2. Are there any email abbreviations that should be avoided in professional communication?

From the list above, I would be careful about using TL; DR to avoid offending anybody, OT so productivity doesn’t take a hit, and NSFW to avoid sending inappropriate content.

3. How can I ensure my team understands and uses email abbreviations correctly?

It would be beneficial to brief them on what abbreviations mean and have the information in writing as a handy cheat sheet. You can also monitor emails.

4. Can email abbreviations vary by industry or professional context?

It can, so keeping your team informed on what acronyms and abbreviations mean is so important.

5. How do I respond to an email with abbreviations I don’t understand?

You can look up the abbreviation to see if that sheds more light. If not, don’t be afraid to ask for clarification.