interjection

lol

ehl-oh-EHL

interjection

Used in writing to show that something is funny or that a message is meant light-heartedly.

"I forgot my own birthday, lol."

"That meme had me in tears, lol."

verb

To laugh out loud, especially in reaction to something online.

"I was lolling so hard at his reply."

How to Use Lol

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA texting shorthand for laughter or amusement — often used even when the person isn't actually laughing.

When to use it

Very informal; used in texting, chat, and social media, not in formal writing.

Memory tip

In casual chat, "lol" often just softens a sentence rather than signaling real laughter.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

lol at that so funny, lol lol forever

Word Forms

LOLed past tense, LOLd past tense, LOL'd past tense, LOLs plural, LOLs singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

I forgot my own birthday, _____.

Etymology

An acronym for "laughing out loud," said to have been coined by a Canadian user named Wayne Pearson in the early-to-mid 1980s and first recorded in writing in 1989.