The Meaning of HML: What It Is and How To Use It

Do you know what the internet slang term HML means? This guide will give you all of the information you need on the term HML, including its definition, usage, example sentences, and more!

Your writing, at its best

Compose bold, clear, mistake-free, writing with Grammarly's AI-powered writing assistant

What does the slang term HML mean?

According to Dictionary and Cyber Definitions, the internet acronym HML has two different meanings. The first definition is “hate my life,” which someone can sue when they are complaining about something in their life going badly. This could be work, personal, or school problems, amongst others. It is often used to commiserate with another person over SMS text messages or on social media. This is the opposite of “LML” which means “love my life” and is similar to “FML,” which means “F*** My Life.”

The next definition of the acronym HML is “hit my line.” This phrase means “call me.” It indicates to the recipient that the user wants said recipient to call them on the phone. This could be used to switch from a text-based to a conversation to a phone call. This acronym is commonly used in text messaging or on social media sites like Instagram, TikTok, or Snapchat. This text abbreviation would rarely be spoken aloud because it does not save a speaker any time or syllables when pronouncing each individual letter as opposed to simply saying either “hate my life” or “hit my line.”

According to The Free Dictionary and Acronym Finder, the slang term HML also has a plethora of other meanings. These are not used as frequently as the previously stated definitions, but they are still valid definitions. One should be careful when using an acronym that has many different definitions and avoid confusion by providing proper context. 

  • Hellfire Missile Launcher
  • Help Me Lord
  • Human Media Lab
  • Hitachi Metals Ltd. (Japan)
  • Help Markup Language (Samaritan)
  • Hot Monkey Love
  • Hawaii Medical Library
  • Hindustan Motors Limited (India)
  • Higher Mass Limits (a scheme for managing a vehicle loading on some Australian freight roads)
  • Hot Mockup Laboratory
  • High School Mailing List (ACT, Inc.)
  • Hazardous Material List
  • Human-Machine Language
  • Hard Mobile Launcher
  • Hybrid Markup Language
  • Health Money Love
  • Henessy-Milner Logic
  • Heavy Metal Lover (song)
  • Haags Montessori Lyceum (Netherlands school)
  • Hybrid Mail Language
  • Hellenic Mediterranean Lines (Greece)
  • High Minus Low (Book to Market Value ratio)
  • Hard Money Lender (real estate)
  • High Medium Low
  • Hämeenlinna (Finland)
  • Hermandad Mexicana Latinoamericana (Spanish: Mexican Latin America Sisterhood)
  • Hindustan Motors, Ltd. (India)
  • Harmonie Musicale de Lachenaie (Terrebonne, Québec, Canada)

How can the abbreviation HML be used in a sentence?

Since the acronym HML can stand for both “hate my life” and “hit my line,” this means that it can be used in two different contexts in a number of sentences. In this first example, the acronym HML will be used to mean “hate my life.” In the below example, Nate and Mo are talking about their English homework via text message.

Nate: Mo, this homework is insane. Have u started on Mrs. B’s yet?

Mo: I haven’t, what is it?

Nate: It’s literally like a whole project. We have to read a third of the book and do a whole three-page paper on the themes, characters, and plot. In one night!

Mo: Ugh, I HML. I’m still working on the calculus homework. I’m gonna be up all night!

Here, Mo uses the acronym HML to say that he hates his life because of the amount of homework he has to do. In the next example, HML will be used to stand for “hit my line.” Here, Mo is texting Nate about his pre-prom plans.

Mo: Hey dude, have you rented your tux yet? Literally every place I call is sold out for the weekend of our prom! Also my mom said she’s gonna rent us a car to get there and back, you can meet at my place before.

Nate: Hey, can u HML instead? I’m driving and can’t read texts right now.

Mo: For sure! No problem at all!

Is the acronym HML casual or formal?

The acronym HML is extremely casual and should never be used in professional or formal contexts. This should exclusively be reserved for casual chatting with friends. Neither definition is appropriate to use in professional settings like business emails, letters, or negotiations. One should stick to using the full form of the phrase in more formal situations. 

The below example is a situation in which HML would be inappropriate to use, followed by a revised version of the same message. Here, HML stands for “hit my line.” In this example, Derek is a lawyer who is emailing another lawyer, Sara, about a client’s contract.

BAD:

Hey Sara,

Read over ur notes. Pls HML so we can discuss. Sooner rather than later, need 2 get this in by EOW. Thx.

-Derek

GOOD:

Hi Sara,

Thank you for sending over your notes on the contract. I have looked them over – do you have a moment to hop on the phone and discuss real-time? I would love to be able to get this signed by the end of the week. I can be reached at the number in my signature. Thank you!

Best,

Derek

Here, Derek should maintain professionalism and proper email etiquette when emailing a colleague. If he uses internet slang and chat speak in a business email, this can make him come off as unprofessional or naive. 

Overall, the trending slang term HML stands for either “hate my life” or “hit my line.” The first definition is used to commiserate with someone over something bad happening whether at work, at school, or in someone’s personal life. The phrase “hit my line” means “ call me,” and instructs the recipient to place a phone call to the sender. Both of these meanings are frequently used in text messaging or on social media sites.

Sources:

  1. https://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/HML
  2. https://www.acronymfinder.com/Slang/HML.html
  3. https://www.cyberdefinitions.com/definitions/HML.html
  4. https://www.dictionary.com/e/acronyms/hml/#:~:text=HML%20is%20an%20internet%20acronym,life%20or%20hit%20my%20line.