Do you know the definition of AFK? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the acronym AFK, including its definition, examples of AFK, usage, other potential means, and more!
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According to Cyber Definitions, the term AFC is used in online games and instant messenger conversations. This term stands for “away from keyboard,” which means that you are stepping away from the computer until further notice. This is often used in lowercase or uppercase in the chat function on games like MMORPGs like WOW or Overwatch’s game chat rooms especially if they are a streamer on Twitch, as well as on social media like Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube and Facebook. Someone might go AFK because they need a short break, to eat or to use the bathroom. The origin of AFK was in IRC, or internet relay chat, which was an early application for online chatting in the 1990s. People do not normally use this internet slang in real life, especially not in a formal atmosphere like workplaces. This term is usually only used by gamers or people on the internet as a slang term.
The term AFK can stand for many things aside from away from keyboard. Take a look at this list of other potential definitions from The Free Dictionary.
Allerød Fodbold Klub (Danish: Allerød Football Club; Allerød, Denmark)
Aus- und Fortbildungs Gmbh für Elektronische Medien
Always Frisky Kerrans (gaming)
A Free Kill (gaming)
Austriackie Forum Kultury (Polish: Austrian Cultural Forum; Warsaw, Poland)
Afrikaans (SIL code)
Africaans/Afrikaans
All for Kill (gaming)
Absolute Frequency Keying
Aarhus Fridykkerklub (Denmark)
Anadolu Finans Kurumu (Anadolu Finance House)
Afkorting (Dutch: abbreviation)
Anderson Flesher and Key (band)
What are other terms someone might use on an instant messenger?
There are many different old-school internet acronyms that a person might use on something like AOL Instant Messenger. Some of these slang terms from AIM Lingo are outdated, and some we still use today. Now we have many more slang terms you might see on the internet, like YMMV, sus, and more.
BTW – By The Way
TY – Thank You
WBU – What About You
STFW – Search The F**king Web
FTW – For The Win
POS / “9” – Parent Over Shoulder
TTFNR – Ta-Ta For Now
JK – Just Kidding
OMG – Oh My Gosh/Oh My God
WRUD – What Are You Doing
ASL – Age / Sex / Location ?
NP – No Problem
AIM – AOL Instant Messenger
IRL – In Real Life
LYL – Love You Lots
IMO – In My Opinion
ATM – At The Moment
BF – Boyfriend
YTB – You’re The Best
PPL – People
WE – Whatever
TMI – Too Much Information
SN – Screen Name
BBL – Be Back Later
CTN – Can’t Talk Now
SW – So What?
IDC – I Don’t Care
JIT – Just In Time
HW – HomeWork
GG – Gotta Go, Good Game
LYLAS – Love You Like A Sister
TTUL8R – Talk to You Later
GF – Girlfriend
ROTFLMAO – Rolling On The Floor Laughing My A$$ Off
FYI – For Your Information
KOTC – Kiss On The Cheek
STFU – Shut The F**k Up
LYLAB – Love Ya Like A Brother
YT – You There?
CUI – Cracking Up Inside
NFC – No F**king Clue
WTF – What The F**k
BBS – Be Back Soon
BRB – Be Right back
JMS – Just Making Sure
JIC – Just In Case
SHR – Shower
IDK – I Don’t Know
G2G – Got to Go
JW – Just Wondering
NM / NVM – Nevermind
DN – Don’t Know
SRY – Sorry
LMAO – Laughing My A$$ Off
NS – No Sh*t
CUL8R / CULR – See You Later
TTYL – Talk to You Later
LOL – Laughing Out Loud
NM – Not Much
JAS – Just A Second
What are synonyms and antonyms of AFK?
There are many different equivalent words for the term AFK. These are called synonyms, which are especially important to know if you are trying to say AFK in a polite way that is more appropriate for formal or professional situations. It is not okay to use chat slang in formal or professional situations, so stick to one of these synonyms from Power Thesaurus instead.
return
well
departed
unavailable
yonder
deep
far
long
somewhere else
instantly
beyond
at arm’s length
independently
far and away
remote
from here
right
far-off
forth
elsewhere
onward
distant
distance
inside
aloof
aside
one side
outlying
hence
left
abroad
absent
afar
far out
gone
far removed
faraway
truant
far off
lacking
not present
out
long-distance
removed
separate
remove
back
backward
not at home
from there
away from
like now
at a distance
long way off
no-show
outward
backwards
near
afield
forthwith
farther
by
incessantly
far away
not here
thereof
without
in the distance
asunder
forward
over
wanting
enough
outside
now
overseas
further
remotely
from
fro
around
absentee
out of
begone
down
from home
leave
out of the way
not in
lost
off
clear
thence
thereupon
omitted
no more
missing
instanter
apart
take
There are also numerous different words that mean the opposite of away from keyboard. These are called antonyms, which are words and phrases that are also useful in expanding your English language vocabulary. Any of these could be sued in a situation in which it is inappropriate to use a slang term. This list of antonyms is provided by Power Thesaurus as well.
toward
in the area
forthcoming
not far from
impending
proximate
handy
approximate
miserly
alongside
closest
in the neighborhood
next to
at hand
next
related
closely
imminent
by
close
convenient
neighbouring
approaching
about
in the vicinity
near
beside
close to
close by
similar
adjoining
approach
contiguous
around
immediate
close at hand
stingy
in the neighbourhood
nigh
almost
penny-pinching
closer
close
near at hand
nearly
neighboring
adjacent
coming
nearby
draw near
in the offing
Overall, AFK means away from keyboard. This is an internet slang term.
Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.