abbreviation
rn
ar-EN
Rn (abbreviation) means Right now — used in text messages and online chat to mean at this moment. Example: “can't talk rn, in a meeting”
abbreviation
1
informal, texting Right now — used in text messages and online chat to mean at this moment.
"can't talk rn, in a meeting"
"i'm so tired rn"
2
Registered nurse, a nurse who has completed the required training and is licensed to practise.
"She qualified as an RN last spring."
"The ward is short two RNs on nights."
How to use rn
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishShort for "right now" in messages, or "registered nurse" at work.
When to use it
Sense 1 is casual and written-only. Sense 2 is a formal professional title.
Memory tip
Lower case rn is the texting sense; capital RN in a medical or job context is the nursing qualification.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
busy rn
not rn
RN licence
BSN-prepared RN
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can't talk _____, in a meeting
Etymology
An abbreviation of right now in sense 1, and an initialism of registered nurse in sense 2.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does rn mean in a text?
In a text or chat message it almost always means "right now". It is written in lower case and usually sits at the end of a clause, as in "i'm busy rn".
What is the difference between rn and atm?
Both mean at this moment, and in practice they are interchangeable. Rn is a shortening of "right now" and slightly more emphatic; atm stands for "at the moment" and sounds a little softer.
What is the meaning of rn?
"rn" (abbreviation) means right now — used in text messages and online chat to mean at this moment.
What is another word for rn?
Other words for "rn" include right now, atm, currently.
