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Slang comparison

LMAOvslol

What's the difference between lmao and lol?

LOL (Laugh Out Loud) is the oldest and weakest laugh-marker — by now often just polite acknowledgement, not actual laughter. LMAO (Laughing My Ass Off) implies actual amusement. LOL is filler; LMAO means something was funny.

Side-by-side

DimensionLMAOlol
Category🌐 Internet & Memes🌐 Internet & Memes
RegionGlobal
First attested~1990
Views2736
Editorial statuscommunitycommunity

Top definitions

LMAO

(Internet slang, text messaging, mildly, vulgar).

“LMAO. Cook him,” one said. “Grass needs to be touched,” another added.

lol

LOL (2006 film), a film by Joe Swanberg

Usage guidance

When to use LMAO

Polite acknowledgement or signaling friendliness — rarely actual laughter.

When to use lol

Actual laughter — when something genuinely got you.

FAQ

What's the difference between lmao and lol?+

LOL (Laugh Out Loud) is the oldest and weakest laugh-marker — by now often just polite acknowledgement, not actual laughter. LMAO (Laughing My Ass Off) implies actual amusement. LOL is filler; LMAO means something was funny.

When should I use LMAO?+

Polite acknowledgement or signaling friendliness — rarely actual laughter.

When should I use lol?+

Actual laughter — when something genuinely got you.

Are LMAO and lol interchangeable?+

They overlap heavily but the connotations are different. Use the "when to use" sections above to pick the right one.