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
1
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 notesIn 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 ↓
Common pairings
sorry, TMI
TMI but
that's TMI
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He started describing the rash. _____, mate.
Etymology
An initialism of 'too much information'.
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.
What is the meaning of tmi?
"tmi" (abbreviation) means said in response to a personal detail that is more intimate or graphic than the listener wanted to hear.
What is another word for tmi?
Other words for "tmi" include too much information.
