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

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

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What does the abbreviation SMTH stand for?

According to the English Dictionary, Cyber Definitions, and Urban Dictionary, SMTH is an abbreviation for the word “something.” This abbreviation is considered a text slang or internet slang. People often use this when SMS text messaging or on social media because it is quicker to type SMTH than the complete word “something.” This is very similar to other internet abbreviations and acronyms, such as using LOL to mean “laughing out loud,” BRB to mean “be right back” and OMG to mean “oh my God.” 

SMTH is considered an initialism and would never be spoken aloud. An initialism is when someone pronounces every letter in an abbreviation of acronym. Therefore, SMTH would be pronounced “ess-em-tee-aitch” and not “summth.” If one were to say the abbreviation out loud, it would not save them any time and it is quicker to just say the word “something.” However, when typing, it is much faster to simply type SMTH.

According to Dictionary, the English pronoun something means some undetermined, unknown or unspecified thing. This word is usually used when someone cannot be more specific about whatever it is they are describing. For example, if someone was on the beach with their friends and saw a dark mass in the ocean, they might say “there is something in the water” because they cannot make out what it is, but they know that it is there.

SMTH is also an acronym that can mean many different things, however this is far less common. If one were to use SMTH, people would usually assume that they meant it as an abbreviation for the word something. However, according to Acronym Finder and The Free Dictionary, SMTH also has plenty of other meanings. When using one of these alternate meanings, one should ensure that the context and meaning are clear to avoid confusion.

  • Smooth
  • Shui Mu Tsing Hua (bulletin board system)
  • Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings, Inc. (Japan)
  • Shui Mu Tsinghua (Beijing university)
  • Signalling Maintenance Testing Handbook (railway)

Is the abbreviation SMTH casual or formal?

The abbreviation SMTH is very casual and should only be used in informal contexts like in a text to a friend or on social media. Using internet slang and abbreviations like SMTH is not appropriate in professional or formal circumstances such as in a letter, business email, negotiation, or other more formal form of communication. In these cases, one should use the full form of the word “something.” Below is an example of a situation in which it is inappropriate to use the abbreviation SMTH, followed by a revised version of the same message.

In this example, Kiely is emailing her boss about the scene that she found once she arrived to open the store that day.

BAD:

Hey I just got 2 the store n SMTH is v v wrong… the front windows were all smashed n all the merch is messed up. IDK if anything is gone but the place is a mess. U needa come in like ASAP. C U L8R. -K

GOOD:

Hi Ms. Robbins,

I just arrived at the store to open, and the place is in shambles. It looks like someone broke in. The front window is smashed and the clothes are everywhere– I’m not sure if any merchandise was taken, but I really think you should come here quickly. I’m a bit scared. Should I call the police?

Thank you,

Kiely

In a situation as somber as this one, Kiely should maintain professionalism and email her boss with proper etiquette and grammar.

How can the abbreviation SMTH be used in a sentence?

The abbreviation SMTH can be used in many different situations when texting someone or when posting on social media. In the below example, Nataly and Gianna are texting about two of their friends.

Gianna: Did smth seem off to you at the lunch table?

Nataly: YES!! Ok I thought I was the only one. Trevor and Kacey are being SO WEIRD.

Gianna: IKR… either they got in a fight or they’re secretly dating LOL.

What are synonyms and antonyms for the abbreviation SMTH?

If it is not appropriate to use an internet slang abbreviation like SMTH, one might seek out a synonym for the word something instead. Synonyms are words that mean the same thing as a given word or phrase, and can be used interchangeably with them. One might choose to use a synonym to change the formality or a word, or to avoid repeating themselves. The below list of synonyms is provided by Thesaurus.

  • substance
  • thing
  • being
  • entity
  • object
  • article
  • existent
  • individual
  • commodity
  • existence

While the word something is extremely general, it also has its fair share of opposites. These words are called antonyms; antonyms are words or phrases that are the opposite of a given word. This list of antonyms for the word something is also provided by Thesaurus.

  • zip
  • nonexistence
  • goose egg
  • not anything
  • blank
  • zot
  • crumb
  • insignificancy
  • nothingness
  • scratch
  • no thing
  • zero
  • naught
  • trifle
  • diddly
  • shutout
  • nihility
  • fly speck
  • nonentity
  • bagatelle
  • duck egg
  • obliteration
  • wind
  • nothing
  • annihilation
  • nullity
  • extinction
  • cipher
  • zippo
  • oblivion
  • zilch
  • void
  • nought
  • nix
  • aught
  • nonbeing
  • nobody

Overall, the trending abbreviation SMTH is short for the word “something.” This is considered an internet slang term or abbreviation that is similar to acronyms like OMG, BRB, and LOL. This word is often used in text messages or on social media, and is rarely seen spoken aloud. 

Sources:

  1. https://www.dictionary.com/e/acronyms/smth/#:~:text=What%20does%20SMTH%20mean%3F,ty%20for%20%22thank%20you.%22
  2. https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=smth
  3. https://www.cyberdefinitions.com/definitions/SMTH.html
  4. https://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/SMTH
  5. https://www.acronymfinder.com/Slang/SMTH.html
  6. https://www.thesaurus.com/browse/something