noun
TW
tee-DUB-uhl-yoo
TW (noun) means a short note placed before a post, video or article to warn that it contains material some readers may find distressing, short for 'trigger warning'. Example: “TW: discussion of self-harm in the next paragraph.”
noun
1
informal A short note placed before a post, video or article to warn that it contains material some readers may find distressing, short for 'trigger warning'.
"TW: discussion of self-harm in the next paragraph."
"She put a tw at the top of the thread before describing the accident."
abbreviation
1
The two-letter country code for Taiwan, used in web addresses, currency listings and international forms.
"The site's Taiwanese version sits on a .tw domain."
How to use TW
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA heads-up that what follows might be upsetting.
When to use it
Informal internet usage, most common on social media, forums and fan communities.
Memory tip
Always follow TW with a colon and the specific topic, otherwise the warning tells the reader nothing.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
tw: violence
tw for
add a tw
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Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____: discussion of self-harm in the next paragraph.
Etymology
In the warning sense, an initialism of 'trigger warning'.
Synonyms
View more →
trigger warning
content warning
CW
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between TW and CW?
TW stands for trigger warning and CW for content warning. They are used almost interchangeably, though many people prefer CW because it covers anything a reader might want to avoid, while TW suggests specifically material that could trigger a trauma response.
How do you write a TW properly?
Put it before the content, not after, and name the subject: 'TW: eating disorders' is useful, a bare 'TW' is not. Leaving a blank line or a few line breaks after it gives readers a chance to scroll away.
Does TW always mean trigger warning?
No. Depending on context it is also the country code for Taiwan, an old shorthand for Twitter, and in engineering can abbreviate other terms. Online, in front of a post, it almost always means trigger warning.
What is the meaning of TW?
"TW" (noun) means a short note placed before a post, video or article to warn that it contains material some readers may find distressing, short for 'trigger warning'.
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