What does IRL mean in texting and online chats?

[Elizabeith]

I’ve seen people use IRL in conversations and comments, but I’m not totally sure what it stands for. Does IRL simply mean “in real life,” or can it have other meanings depending on the context?

 

[Samwillson]

In life, which is what IRL means is different from the internet. We use IRL when we are texting or chatting online. We want to talk about things that happen outside of the computer. For example I might say that I know someone online. I have never met that person in real life. This way it is clear what I mean when I am talking about things that happen in life versus things that happen on the internet. IRL helps us separate what happens online, from what happens in life.

 

[Ji-Min]

IRL stands for In Real Life and is used in texting or online chats to talk about things that happen offline or face-to-face, as opposed to online interactions. For example, someone might say, I know her IRL, meaning they know the person personally, not just through social media or gaming.

 

[Samwillson]

IRL stands for “In Real Life.” This term is often used in texting, social networking sites, and online communication to refer to something that is not related to the online world. IRL is used by individuals to differentiate between the online world and the real world. For example, an individual can say that they know someone online, but they have not met that person IRL, which means they have not met that person in the real world.

 

[tylerhoward]

IRL means “In Real Life.” People use it in texting, gaming, and social media to talk about things that happen outside the internet or digital world. For example, someone might say they know a friend IRL instead of only online. It helps distinguish real-world experiences from online interactions.

 

[wither]

“IRL” stands for “In Real Life.” It’s used in texting and online chats to refer to things happening outside the internet or social media. For example, someone might say they met a friend IRL after talking online. The abbreviation is common on platforms like Discord and Reddit.

 

[Evan]

IRL stands for “In Real Life.” People use it in texting and online chats to talk about things happening outside the internet or digital world. For example, someone might say they know a friend IRL instead of only online. The term is common on platforms like Reddit and Discord.