Huh? Here's Exactly What 'TFW' Means on Social Media

Internet slang really is its own language these days. You might be scrolling through content and see anything from POV to FWIW, leaving you feeling like saying, "SMH," you know—"shaking my head." Whether it's a phrase back from AIM days or specifically Gen Z slang, there's a lot of shorthand to learn and use. This brings us to TFW's meaning—what exactly is "TFW"?

This expression, in particular, has a few different interpretations—all of which have similar meanings. So, we'll go through exactly what the letter combination can mean, as well as how it's different from "MFW." Plus, if you're curious how you're supposed to use the abbreviation, we've got that too.

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What Does 'TFW' Mean on Social Media?

"TFW" means "that feeling when." People across Instagram, TikTok, Discord, YouTube and more, typically use this expression with an image, video or GIF when the facial expression or activity shown matches how someone is feeling.

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Other 'TFW' Meanings

"TFW" can also mean "that feel when" or "that face when."

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How Is 'TFW' Different from 'MFW'?

There's not a huge difference between the two acronyms, TBH (to be honest). "MFW" simply has a different first word from one of the variations, meaning "my face when."

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How To Use 'TFW'

In order to use "TFW" correctly online, here are some examples:

  • Posted with a GIF of someone covering their face with their hands: TFW your boss emails you at 4:58 on a Friday.

  • Posted with a video of yourself dancing in your room: TFW you remember you have ice cream in the freezer.

  • Posted with a photo of yourself looking annoyed: TFW your neighbors refuse to live life at a normal volume.

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