Kevin
April 10, 2021
Common Questions
Do you know the definition of FML? This article will provide you with all of the knowledge you need on the abbreviation FML, including its definition, usage, conversation examples, and more!
Compose bold, clear, mistake-free, writing with Grammarly's AI-powered writing assistant
According to Merriam-Webster Unabridged English Language Dictionary, Urban Dictionary, and other dictionary apps, the term FML most frequently stands for “f*ck my life.” This term is commonly used on social media and in SMS text messages for a person to state that they hate their current situation or something that happened to them. This is the opposite of LML, which stands for “love my life” and is similar to HML, which stands for “hate my life.” This is a very melodramatic phrase that is used to show that a person is displeased with their current situation.
There is even an entire website dedicated to people showing their “FML” or fail stories called FMyLife.com. On F My Life, people can submit their “FML” stories and others will vote and comment on if they think the other person’s life sucks or if the poster deserved it.
According to The Free Dictionary, the abbreviation FML has many more meanings than simply “f*ck my life.” While these other definition are considered valid, they are used far less frequently than the definition “f*ck my life” and should therefore be used sparingly. If you do decide to sue the acronym FML to stand for one of these other meanings, ensure that you provide proper context so that the recipient is not offended or confused. This acronym should be avoided in professional and formal settings because even if you are not using it to mean “f*ck my life,” it can still come off this way.
The slang interjection FML is considered extremely casual and should never be used in a professional or formal setting. Due to its vulgar meaning, this term should be reserved for casual text messages between friends or posts on social media. This term should never be used in professional settings like business emails, negotiations, or letters. Using any sort of internet slang or vulgarity makes one come off as unprofessional and should be avoided. There are plenty of other terms one can use to express disappointment without resorting to profanity or internet slang terms.
The acronym FML can be used in a variety of different casual settings to express disappointment or frustration at a situation or circumstance. In this first example, Mark and Delia are close friends who are in the same math class but different periods in school. Delia texts Mark after her math class period is over.
Delia: Hey dude, warning you now, Ms. Hannigan is giving us all a pop quiz because we all bombed the exam.
Mark: Ugh, WTF?!
Delia: I know! She’s trying to say it’s an opportunity to get our grade up… yeah right.
Mark: I was sick all last week! FML, I don’t know anything. I’m going to fail.
Delia: Maybe she’ll give you an exception.
Mark: Yeah, maybe if she didn’t already hate me she would.
Here, Mark uses the term FML to express his disappointment and frustration at the surprise quiz in his math class. In this next example, Delia and MArk discuss their post-quiz trauma after school.
Mark: What did you get on the quiz?
Delia: I’m embarrassed to say.
Mark: I’ll go first, I got a 65. Kill me.
Delia: OMG, I got the same. My parents are grounding me for it, too. Like, how was I supposed to know? I would have studied! It’s so unfair. FML.
Mark: Ugh, that sucks. I’m sorry.
Here, Delia uses FML to express her dismay at being grounded for her poor grade on the pop quiz, even though she feels it is unfair since she did not know about the pop quiz.
Overall, the term FML most frequently stands for “f*ck my life.” This is an internet slang term that people use when things are going wrong. It is a melodramatic, trending slang word that people use when it feels like nothing can go right. This is commonly used in SMS text messaging and on social media.
