Ttyl means: Talk To You Later. Sign-off for casual chat. Now slightly dated.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
ttyl
Talk To You Later.
ˌtiː.tiː.waɪˈelDocumented since 1990s1990sMillennialhistorical167 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026＋ Add a definition
Etymology timeline
Born ~1990 · no dated citations yetMillennial / early-internet eraSee decade cohort →
Definitions
Global
#1·Apr 26, 2026Global
Talk To You Later. Sign-off for casual chat. Now slightly dated.
"gotta go, ttyl"
Origin: AOL Instant Messenger / MSN era texting, 1990s–2000s.
For parents
Ttyl means: Talk To You Later. Sign-off for casual chat. Now slightly dated.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
For ESL learners
ttyl means: Talk To You Later. Sign-off for casual chat. Now slightly dated.. Register: dated, informal. Common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; always check the context before producing it yourself. A formal-English equivalent (a synonym or descriptive phrase) is usually safer in writing. When in doubt, paraphrase rather than reuse the slang form.
Cluster: farewell
Was this helpful?
Comments
For specific readers
Why is this section here?
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
Used in
Global
Have a better definition?
Add your own interpretation of "ttyl".
🌐About Internet & Memes slang
Viral internet speak — memes, ratios, main-character moments, and the algospeak of every platform from Twitter to Reddit to TikTok comment sections.
See all Internet & Memes slang on Slangora.
Tags
Other words near "ttyl" (T)
Browse all slang words starting with T.