Definitions
For what it's worth. A softener placed before an opinion or observation to flag that the speaker knows the comment may not be useful or authoritative, but is offering it anyway. Often signals humility, occasionally signals passive-aggression depending on tone.
FWIW, we tried that exact approach last quarter and the conversion rate dropped 12%.
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Viral internet speak — memes, ratios, main-character moments, and the algospeak of every platform from Twitter to Reddit to TikTok comment sections.
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Other words near "FWIW" (F)
Browse all slang words starting with F.
Related terms
Semantically related
- AFAIK67%
As far as I know. A hedge used before a factual claim to signal that the speaker is reporting what they currently believe is true, but isn't willing to bet their reputation on it. Common in technical forums, Stack Overflow answers and Wikipedia talk pages, where it functions almost like a verbal footnote inviting correction.
- IMHO63%
In my humble opinion. A polite framing for a personal view that the speaker wants to mark as subjective rather than factual. The "humble" is often tongue-in-cheek — strong opinions are frequently introduced with IMHO precisely because the writer knows they aren't humble at all. Often weakened to "IMO" when the speaker drops even the pretence.
- IMO63%
In My Opinion. Used to soften an opinion or signal it's subjective.
- BTW62%
By the way. Used to introduce a side remark or a related-but-tangential point, often as a softener before changing the subject or slipping in an extra request. Extremely common in casual chat, email and forum posts; one of the oldest internet abbreviations still in heavy daily use.
- I'm not being funny62%
(UK, idiom) Used as a softening preface to a statement that might be taken as offensive or malicious.