abbreviation

IMS

eye-em-ESS

IMS (abbreviation) means a texting and messaging shorthand for "I'm sorry", typed without the apostrophe. Example: “ims i totally forgot to reply yesterday”

abbreviation

internet slang A texting and messaging shorthand for "I'm sorry", typed without the apostrophe.

"ims i totally forgot to reply yesterday"

"ims for the late notice, something came up"

noun

technical An information management system: software used by an organisation to store, organise and retrieve its records and data.

"Every case file is logged in the council's IMS within 24 hours."

How to Use IMS

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA quick way of typing "I'm sorry".

When to use it

Lower case in texting; upper case IMS in business or IT contexts means an information management system.

Memory tip

Notice the pattern: ims is I'm sorry, imu is I miss you, ily is I love you.

Easily confused with

ily → imy ikr →

Common pairings

ims about that ims i missed it

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Test yourself on “IMS” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ i totally forgot to reply yesterday

Synonyms

View more →

sry soz my bad

Related Words

oops my bad MB mea culpa

Rhymes for IMS

Sims Swims

See all rhymes for IMS →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does ims mean in a text message?

It almost always means "I'm sorry". The apostrophe is dropped because phone keyboards make it slow to type, and the phrase is short enough that context makes it clear.

What is the difference between ims and sry?

They mean the same thing, but sry tends to be used for small, casual apologies, while ims is often used to open a longer explanation. Neither is suitable for a serious or formal apology.

Should I use ims in an email to my boss?

No. It is informal messaging shorthand. In any work or formal context write the words out in full.

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