English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
abbreviation

tf

tee-EFF

Tf (abbreviation) means Short for 'the fuck', used in messages and speech to add force or disbelief to a question or exclamation. Example: “tf is going on in this group chat”

abbreviation
1
vulgar slang Short for 'the fuck', used in messages and speech to add force or disbelief to a question or exclamation.
"tf is going on in this group chat"
"I open the door and tf, the cat's on the roof"
2
vulgar slang Short for 'the fuck' as a standalone reaction meaning roughly 'what?' or 'excuse me?'.
"He charged you ninety quid for that? tf."
"tf did you just say to her"
3
informal In fandom and gaming contexts, short for transformation, or for the game Team Fortress.
"The thread is tagged tf art."
"We queued for TF2 all evening."

How to Use Tf

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishText shorthand for 'the fuck', used to show shock or annoyance.

When to use it

Vulgar and informal; almost always lowercase in messages.

Memory tip

Because the f stands for a swear word, tf carries the same offensiveness as saying it aloud.

Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
wtf stfu tbf
Common pairings
tf is this who tf tf you mean tf are you doing
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “tf” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ is going on in this group chat

Etymology

An initialism of 'the fuck', clipped from 'what the fuck'.

Origin: English

wtf the hell the heck

Related Words

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between tf and wtf?

Wtf is 'what the fuck' and works as a complete reaction on its own. Tf is just 'the fuck' and normally sits inside a sentence in place of the fuller phrase, as in 'tf are you doing' or 'who tf is that'.

Is tf rude?

Yes. It stands in for a swear word, so it is fine between friends in casual messages but not appropriate at work, in school assignments or in anything formal.

Featured In

People Also Searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial · etymology from FreeDict original editorial