AFK

5 synonyms and 2 antonyms for AFK, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Abbreviation — Away from the keyboard; used in chat, gaming and messaging to say that you are stepping away and will not respond for a while.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

away

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

idle offline

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

brb back in a bit

Synonyms by Meaning

1. abbreviation informal, internet

Away from the keyboard; used in chat, gaming and messaging to say that you are stepping away and will not respond for a while.

“afk for five minutes, grabbing food.”

brb back in a bit away

2. adjective informal, internet

Not currently at a computer or device, and so unavailable online.

“He has been AFK all afternoon.”

idle offline away

Opposites

online active

How to use AFK

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

go AFK AFK for a minute AFK timer AFK farming

Chat and gaming shorthand; avoid it in formal writing, where 'away from my desk' is better.

Etymology

An initialism of away from keyboard.

Full origin of AFK →

Frequently asked questions

What does AFK mean?

AFK stands for 'away from keyboard'. It tells other people in a chat, game or call that you are leaving your device for a short time and will not reply straight away.

What is the difference between AFK and BRB?

BRB ('be right back') promises a quick return, while AFK simply states that you are not at your device and says nothing about how long you will be gone. In games, AFK is also used as a label for an idle player, which BRB is not.

Is AFK written in capitals?

Both forms are accepted. Lower-case 'afk' is normal inside casual chat, while capitals are more usual in written prose, headings and game interfaces.

People also searched

away online active idle offline brb

Nearby words

← Back to the full definition of AFK