AFK
AFK (abbreviation) means Away from the keyboard; used in chat, gaming and messaging to say that you are stepping away and will not respond for a while. Example: “afk for five minutes, grabbing food.”
How to Use AFK
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIt means you have stepped away from your computer.
Chat and gaming shorthand; avoid it in formal writing, where 'away from my desk' is better.
AFK works as a whole phrase on its own: you can simply type 'afk' with no verb around it.
Trace the full origin ↓Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ for five minutes, grabbing food.
Etymology
An initialism of away from keyboard.
Related Words
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.
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