What Does W/ Mean over Text or Online?

PDF download Download Article
Your guide to using “W/,” “W/O,” “W.” & “W” like a pro
PDF download Download Article

Hold on, isn’t a slash supposed to go between two letters or words? What makes “W/” different? A slash with nothing after it might look bizarre, but when it comes after “W,” you actually get an abbreviation for one of the most common words ever. In this article, we’ll show you what “W/” means (with the slash or without), plus the fascinating history of where that abbreviation came from. Let’s get on w/ it!

Things You Should Know

  • “W/” is an abbreviation for “with.” It appears over text, on social media, in handwritten notes, or even in casual communications at work like Slack messages.
  • A “W” without a slash can mean either “with” or “win.” If it means “win,” you’ll probably see it by itself or in the context of a celebratory message.
  • Use “W/” in texts, notes, tweets, recipes—you name it! Steer clear of it in formal or important professional writing, though, and just write out “with.”
Section 1 of 4:

Meaning of “W/” or “W”

PDF download Download Article
  1. Even though “with” is already a short word, “W/” is still faster to write by hand and uses fewer characters when it’s typed out. It can be capitalized or lowercase (“w/”), and can appear without a slash (“w”) or with a period instead (“w.”). [1] “W/” shows up in informal writing like text messages, social media, handwritten notes or instructions, recipes, apartment listings, or even casual Slack messages and emails at work. [2]
    • “For rent: Renovated 1-bed apartment w/ great view of downtown”
    • “Chop 1 potato w/ skin on”
    • “Let’s ride w David since he’s leaving earlier.”
    • “I’m on my way to the store w. Karen”
    2. Advertisement
Section 2 of 4:

Alternate Meaning of “W”

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you see a plain “W” by itself or as part of a celebratory sentence in a text or on an app like TikTok or Twitter, chances are the user means “win” or “winning.” [3] This meaning comes up almost exclusively online (although you might hear someone say something like “We got the ‘dub!” out loud, where “‘dub” is a shortening of “double-u”). Similarly, you might see “L” as shorthand for “loss” or “losing.” [4]
    • “I got a promotion today! 🎉 Can I get a W in the group chat!?”
    • “Cubs get the W!”
    • Person A: “I got my driver’s license!”
      Person B: “W!”
Section 3 of 4:

Using “W/” & “W”

PDF download Download Article
  1. Use “W/” any time you’d use “with” in a sentence (it’s that flexible!). Type it when you’re posting on social media, texting, writing quick notes during class or a meeting, or leaving instructions for your dog sitter. Only abbreviate “with” in casual messages, though—it’s best to avoid it in formal or professional writing and use the full word “with.” [5]
    • “Let’s go on a walk w/ Richard today!”
    • “Give my puppy her vitamin w/ dinner when you watch her”
  2. Add an “O” after the slash in “W/” to form the abbreviation for “without” and use “w/o” the same way you’d use “w/.” Throw it in casual texts or messages, tweets or other social media posts, notes, instructions, or any other scenario where you need to save some space or characters. [6]
    • “Are you ordering food? Get me a hotdog w/o ketchup please!”
    • “Hurry up or we’re leaving w/o you!”
  3. Reply to someone’s text with “W” or leave a “W” comment on a tweet or TikTok video to congratulate others. Post “W” by itself to use it as an exclamation (“Winning!”) or use it as part of a full sentence (“The Bears take the W!”). Try using some emojis to keep things fun and celebratory! [7]
    • “Nice job at your track meet today. Congrats on your W!”
    • Them: “Here’s a pic of my outfit for the awards show!”
      You: “W!”
    4. Advertisement
Section 4 of 4:

Origins of “W/”

PDF download Download Article
  1. As speed became more important for restaurant workers, servers began using shorthand to take orders by hand. “W/” and “W/O” were quick and easy to understand ways to say “with” and “without” when customers wanted to customize their meals by adding or taking off ingredients. [8] Handwritten orders might say something like: [9]
    • “1 burger w/o cheese”
    • “Cobb salad w/ extra dressing”


Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • As a rule of thumb, use the full version of “with” whenever possible in formal or professional writing. Abbreviations are best used in casual writing, tables and graphs, or notes to yourself.
        Thanks
        Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      What Does “Pookie” Mean? Plus, How to Use It
      200+ Best Expressions to Say “I Love You More than…”
      What's a Twunk? Definition, When to Use & More
      What Does “Awww” Mean? Definition, Responses & More
      Funny Ways to Say Hello: 45 Cool and Creative Options
      Signs That Someone Has "Golden Retriever Energy"
      Are Evening and Night the Same Thing? Not Exactly.
      What Does "Hear Me Out" Mean? Plus, How to Use It
      What Does SS Mean? Snapchat, Texting, and More
      What Does "BBL" Mean? Definition & Uses on Social Media and More
      What Does WYD Mean? Snapchat, Texting, and More
      What Does “I Love You 3000” Mean and What Do You Say Back?
      What Does the Slang Term "Cutie Patootie" Mean?
      “Safe Travels” Meaning: How & When to Correctly Use It (Plus Alternatives)
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://letslearnslang.com/what-does-w-mean-in-texting/
      2. ↑ https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/w
      3. ↑ https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/what-does-w-mean-on-tiktok-1813549/
      4. ↑ https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=L
      5. ↑ https://www.cyberdefinitions.com/definitions/W_forward_slash.html
      6. ↑ https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/w%2Fo
      7. ↑ https://letslearnslang.com/what-does-w-mean-in-texting/
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/HrsjABVTa4c?t=5
      9. ↑ https://www.cyberdefinitions.com/definitions/W_forward_slash.html

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 310,888 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement