abbreviation

XO

eks-OH

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XO (abbreviation) means Hugs and kisses, written at the end of a message, card or letter as an affectionate sign-off, with X standing for a kiss and O for a hug. Example: “See you Sunday, love you, xo”

abbreviation

informal Hugs and kisses, written at the end of a message, card or letter as an affectionate sign-off, with X standing for a kiss and O for a hug.

"See you Sunday, love you, xo"

"She signed the card "xo, Mum"."

A grade of cognac and other brandies meaning "extra old", indicating that the youngest spirit in the blend has been aged for a minimum number of years.

"They ordered an XO cognac to finish the meal."

noun

military The executive officer of a military unit or ship, the officer second in command.

"The XO took the conn while the captain was below."

How to use XO

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA short way of writing "hugs and kisses" at the end of a message.

When to use it

Sign-off use is informal and much more common in writing from women, though not exclusively so. The cognac and military senses are unrelated and context makes them obvious.

Memory tip

In the UK, plain "xx" is the more usual affectionate sign-off; XO is more American.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

xoxo → xd → xx

Common pairings

xo, love signed xo XO cognac the ship's XO

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “XO” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

See you Sunday, love you, _____

Etymology

In the sign-off sense, from the written symbols X for a kiss and O for a hug; in the brandy sense, an abbreviation of extra old.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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xoxo love hugs and kisses

Related words

love hate bed enjoy passion honey bang lover

Frequently asked questions

Does the X mean a kiss or a hug?

X is the kiss and O is the hug. The X is the older of the two symbols in letter-writing; the O was added later to pair with it.

What is the difference between XO and XOXO?

They mean the same thing — kisses and hugs — but XOXO is warmer and more emphatic, being simply the pair repeated. XO is the lighter, more everyday sign-off.

Can you send XO to a friend?

Yes. It is common between friends and family, especially in messages and cards, and does not have to be romantic. Whether it reads as flirtatious depends entirely on the relationship.

What is the meaning of XO?

"XO" (abbreviation) means hugs and kisses, written at the end of a message, card or letter as an affectionate sign-off, with X standing for a kiss and O for a hug.

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