LMAO
(Internet slang, text messaging, mildly, vulgar).
““LMAO. Cook him,” one said. “Grass needs to be touched,” another added.”
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
| Dimension | LMAO | lol |
|---|---|---|
| Category | 🌐 Internet & Memes | 🌐 Internet & Memes |
| Region | — | Global |
| Lifecycle | — | Historical |
| First attested | — | ~1990 |
| Generation | — | millennial |
| Views | 231 | 176 |
| Editorial status | community | community |
Top definitions
lol
Laughing Out Loud. Used to mark text as humorous or to soften a message. Increasingly used ironically or as a verbal tic rather than to indicate actual laughter — younger users often deploy "lol" sarcastically while reserving 💀 or 😭 for genuine amusement.
“"that's wild lol"”
Origin: Documented in early 1990s IRC and Usenet; one of the oldest internet acronyms still in heavy use.
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.