tbh

Texter's candid preface

Tbh is internet shorthand for "to be honest," used to signal sincerity or a candid admission: tbh I didn't really like it.

It often softens mild criticism or introduces an unexpected opinion.

In some contexts, especially among younger speakers, tbh has weakened to a mere filler with little honest about it: you're pretty cool tbh.

filler

like

Comparable to, or enjoy

basicallyAt the most essential level
literallyIn exact terms
actuallyIn truth, not supposedly

honestly · I mean · you know · just saying · kind of · sort of · whatever · anyway · I guess · pretty much

honesty

honestly

In a truthful manner

truthfullyWithout deception or lies
franklyWithout concealment or evasion
candidlyWithout concealment or evasion

sincerely · real talk · no lie · for real · genuinely · openly · bluntly · straight up · keeping it real · not gonna lie

texting

omg

Texted exclamation of shock

lowkeyInformally somewhat true
highkeyIntensely, without downplaying
ikrTexted emphatic agreement

dm · rn · af · jk · srsly

confession

admit

Confess or grant entry

revealMake something visible
confessAcknowledge wrongdoing openly
discloseReveal hidden information

acknowledge · concede · own up · come clean · open up · share · vent · unburden · spill · divulge

Categories

textspeakLOL, OMG, BRB, omg, IDK
messagingmessage, text, chat, send, reply
slangslang, jargon, lingo, argot, cant
casual intensifiersreally, very, super, totally, pretty

Opposites

sincerity/candor

Stating known falsehoods

dishonestly · insincerely · evasively · white lie · beating around the bush

communication register

tbhfrankly speaking

Preamble to candor

if I may be so bold · in truth · with all due respect

sincerity/directness

Stating known falsehoods

no offense but · just saying · deceiving · dissembling · sugarcoating

Family

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G