‘LOL’ Is Old! Here’s How Native Speakers REALLY Text Each Other

If you're still texting "LOL" to show you're laughing, I have news for you—native speakers have moved on!

English texting evolves super fast, and if you want to text like a native speaker, you need to keep up with the latest slang. But don’t worry—I’ve got you covered!

In this post, you’ll learn how native speakers actually text each other in 2025—from new ways to say “that’s funny” to the abbreviations and shortcuts they use every day.

Ready? Let’s dive in!

New Ways to Say “That’s Funny” Instead of ‘LOL’

“LOL” (laugh out loud) has been around forever—but these days, native speakers prefer fresher and more natural ways to express laughter.

Here’s what they say instead:

✓ LMAO (Laughing My A* Off*) – Used for something really funny
✓ ROFL (Rolling On the Floor Laughing) – Even funnier than LMAO
✓ Haha / hahaha – The classic way to type laughter
✓ Hehe / lololol – Playful or sarcastic laughter
✓ I’m dead 💀 – When something is so funny it “kills” you
✓ Crying 😭 – Used when something is so funny it makes you “cry”

👤 Did you see that cat video I sent?
👤 I’m dead 💀 that was hilarious!

Common Texting Abbreviations & Shortcuts

Native speakers love to shorten words when texting—it’s all about speed and convenience! Here are the most common shortcuts you’ll see:

Everyday Texting Abbreviations

✓ BRB = Be right back
✓ GTG / G2G = Got to go
✓ TBT = Throwback Thursday (used for old memories)
✓ IDK = I don’t know
✓ IMO / IMHO = In my opinion / In my humble opinion
✓ SMH = Shaking my head (used for disappointment or disbelief)
✓ BTW = By the way
✓ FYI = For your information

👤 Are you coming to the party?
👤 IDK yet, GTG now but I’ll text you later!

Expressing Emotions in Texts

Instead of typing full sentences, native speakers often use emojis or slang to express how they feel.

Common Emotional Texting Phrases

✓ OMG = Oh my God (surprise or excitement)
✓ Aww 🥺 = That’s so sweet or sad
✓ UGH 😩 = Annoyance or frustration
✓ YAY 🎉 = Excitement or happiness
✓ ILY / ILU ❤️ = I love you
✓ TMI = Too much information (when someone overshares)
✓ WYD? = What are you doing?

👤 I just got a puppy! 🐶
👤 OMG YAY!! 🥰

Trending Slang in Texting (2025 Edition)

English slang is always changing, and some phrases go in and out of style super fast. Here are some current texting slang terms that native speakers actually use:

✓ Bet = “Okay” or “I agree”
✓ Lowkey = Kind of / secretly (I’m lowkey excited for this trip!)
✓ Highkey = Very / totally (I highkey love this song!)
✓ Sus = Suspicious (That deal sounds sus…)
✓ No cap = No lie / I’m serious (That movie was amazing, no cap!)
✓ Hits different = Feels special or unique (This coffee hits different today!)
✓ Based = Unapologetically confident (That opinion is so based.)
✓ Vibe check = Making sure the mood is right (Vibe check: Are we still going out?)

👤 This pizza hits different when you’re hungry.
👤 Bet, let’s order another one!

Now that you know how native speakers really text, try using some of these phrases in your messages!

Instead of saying LOL, try I’m dead 💀. Instead of I don’t know, go with IDK. The more you practice, the more natural your texting will sound!