abbreviation

tmi

T-M-I

Tmi (abbreviation) means Said in response to a personal detail that is more intimate or graphic than the listener wanted to hear. Example: “He started describing the rash. TMI, mate.”

abbreviation

informal Said in response to a personal detail that is more intimate or graphic than the listener wanted to hear.

"He started describing the rash. TMI, mate."

"TMI, but I haven't washed this jumper since March."

How to Use Tmi

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA way of saying 'that's more than I wanted to know'.

When to use it

Informal, used in speech as well as writing. Often said jokingly, and frequently used pre-emptively by the speaker about their own overshare.

Memory tip

TMI reacts to unwanted intimacy, not to length. A very long explanation of a bus timetable is boring, not TMI.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

oversharing NSFW → spoiler →

Common pairings

sorry, TMI TMI but that's TMI

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

He started describing the rash. _____, mate.

Etymology

An initialism of 'too much information'.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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too much information

Frequently Asked Questions

What does TMI stand for?

Too much information. It is used when someone shares a detail — usually about their body, health or sex life — that is more than the listener wanted.

What is the difference between TMI and oversharing?

Oversharing describes the behaviour of the person talking; TMI is the reaction of the person listening. Someone who overshares regularly will hear TMI a lot.