LMAO
3 synonyms for LMAO, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Interjection — Used in messages and online posts to show that something is very funny; a stronger version of "lol".
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use LMAO
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
lmao that's great
omg lmao
lmao no
Informal and slightly crude in origin. Fine between friends; avoid in formal or professional writing.
Etymology
An initialism of an informal phrase meaning "laughing extremely hard"; the middle letters stand for a mildly crude word.
Full origin of LMAO →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between LOL and LMAO?
Both mark amusement, but LMAO is the stronger of the two and suggests genuine laughter, while LOL has weakened over time into a general marker of friendliness or lightness. LMAO is also cruder in origin, so LOL is the safer choice in mixed company.
Is it rude to use LMAO at work?
It is best avoided in professional messages. The letters stand for a mildly vulgar phrase, and even where colleagues use it casually it reads as very informal in anything that might be forwarded or archived.
Is LMAO written in capitals?
Both LMAO and lmao are common. Lower case tends to read as more casual and offhand; capitals can read as louder or more emphatic.
