ILY

Texting & Internet Slang abbreviation · Texting and Chat

ILY
Stands forI love you
CategoriesTexting & Internet Slang

ILY stands for I love you, a texting and chat abbreviation.

Shorthand for "I love you" between partners, family and close friends, typically sent at the end of calls or texts. It makes an affectionate sign-off quick enough to send many times a day.

Example: Have a good shift, ily, see you at home.

Usage notes

More casual than writing the full phrase, which some people find less heartfelt in serious moments. Variants include ily2 (I love you too) and ilysm (I love you so much). In sign language, the "ILY" handshape combines the letters I, L and Y.

More texting and chat abbreviations

  • IDKY – I don't know why
  • IDRC – I don't really care
  • IDRK – I don't really know
  • IDTS – I don't think so
  • IIRC – If I remember correctly
  • IKR – I know, right?
  • ILY2 – I love you too
  • ILYSM – I love you so much
  • IMHO – In my humble opinion
  • IMNSHO – In my not-so-humble opinion
  • IMO – In my opinion
  • IMY – I miss you

See all 215 texting and chat abbreviations →

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