ngl
4 synonyms for ngl, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Abbreviation — Not gonna lie; used to flag that what follows is a frank or slightly unflattering opinion.
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 ngl
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
ngl that's
ngl I
ngl kinda
Texting and social media only. Out of place in email to a manager, coursework or anything formal.
Etymology
An initialism of "not gonna lie".
Full origin of ngl →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between ngl and tbh?
Both introduce an honest opinion, but ngl signals that the speaker is admitting something slightly awkward, embarrassing or contrary to what people expect. tbh ("to be honest") is broader and often just softens a plain opinion.
Where does ngl go in a sentence?
Usually at the start, followed by a comma: "ngl, I forgot completely." It can also drop in mid-sentence as an aside, as in "that was ngl the best part".
Is ngl capitalised?
Almost never. It is written in lower case even at the start of a sentence, which is normal for texting initialisms. NGL in capitals reads as shouting or as an unrelated abbreviation such as natural gas liquids.
