TFW

Texting & Internet Slang abbreviation · Social Media

TFW
Stands forThat feeling when
CategoriesTexting & Internet Slang

TFW stands for That feeling when, a social media abbreviation.

Opens a caption describing a relatable situation, usually paired with a reaction image or GIF, as in "tfw the bus leaves as you arrive." A staple of meme captions on Twitter, Tumblr and Reddit.

Example: Tfw you finally finish the group project and someone else presents it.

Usage notes

Part of a family of meme openers with MFW (my face when), MRW (my reaction when) and TMW (that moment when). The image is meant to express the emotion the words leave unsaid. Popular through the 2010s and still widely understood by younger users.

More social media abbreviations

  • SC – Snapchat
  • SFW – Safe for work
  • SM – Social media
  • SNS – Social networking service
  • SO – Shout-out
  • TBT – Throwback Thursday
  • TIFU – Today I f***ed up
  • TIHI – Thanks, I hate it
  • TIL – Today I learned
  • TL – Timeline
  • TL;DR – Too long; didn't read
  • TL;DW – Too long; didn't watch

See all 106 social media abbreviations →

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