ORLY

Texting & Internet Slang abbreviation · Texting and Chat

ORLY
Stands forOh, really?
CategoriesTexting & Internet Slang

ORLY stands for Oh, really?, a texting and chat abbreviation.

Sarcastic or skeptical reply meaning "is that so?", used to mock an obvious or doubtful claim. Usually written "O RLY?" in imitation of a famous meme.

Example: O RLY? You "forgot" to do the dishes again tonight?

Usage notes

Comes from an early-2000s image macro of a snowy owl with "O RLY?" which spawned replies like "YA RLY" and "NO WAI." A classic piece of early meme culture, now mostly used ironically by older internet users.

More texting and chat abbreviations

  • OMDB – Over my dead body
  • OMFG – Oh my f***ing God
  • OMG – Oh my God
  • OML – Oh my Lord
  • OMW – On my way
  • OOC – Out of curiosity
  • orz – Kneeling figure (despair or defeat)
  • OTOH – On the other hand
  • OTP – On the phone
  • OTW – On the way
  • PCM – Please call me
  • PITA – Pain in the a**

See all 215 texting and chat abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.