LMAO
(Internet slang, text messaging, mildly, vulgar) To laugh one's ass off.
“Reading this website will have you ROFLing, LMAOing, and LOLing every time you read it.”
Slang comparison
LMAOvslol
What's the difference between lmao and lol?
LOL (Laugh Out Loud) is the oldest and weakest laugh-marker — by now often just polite acknowledgement, not actual laughter. LMAO (Laughing My Ass Off) implies actual amusement. LOL is filler; LMAO means something was funny.
Side-by-side
| Dimension | LMAO | lol |
|---|---|---|
| Category | 🌐 Internet & Memes | 🌐 Internet & Memes |
| Region | — | Global |
| Lifecycle | — | Historical |
| First attested | — | ~1990 |
| Generation | — | millennial |
| Views | 92 | 73 |
| Editorial status | community | community |
Top definitions
lol
LOL (Laughing Out Loud), a 2008 French comedy movie starring Christa Theret and Sophie Marceau
Usage guidance
When to use LMAO
Polite acknowledgement or signaling friendliness — rarely actual laughter.
When to use lol
Actual laughter — when something genuinely got you.
FAQ
What's the difference between lmao and lol?+
LOL (Laugh Out Loud) is the oldest and weakest laugh-marker — by now often just polite acknowledgement, not actual laughter. LMAO (Laughing My Ass Off) implies actual amusement. LOL is filler; LMAO means something was funny.
When should I use LMAO?+
Polite acknowledgement or signaling friendliness — rarely actual laughter.
When should I use lol?+
Actual laughter — when something genuinely got you.
Are LMAO and lol interchangeable?+
They overlap heavily but the connotations are different. Use the "when to use" sections above to pick the right one.