What Does Inb4 Mean?

Download Article
Breaking down the origin and meaning of this forum-based slang term
Download Article

Inb4 (short for "in before") is an acronym/slang term that’s used to predict a future reply or occurrence. While “inb4” was first used on 4-chan, an anonymous image board platform, the term has since spread to other platforms like Reddit and YouTube. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything there is to know about this slang term, so you can be in the know whenever you spot it online.

Things You Should Know

  • “Inb4” (short for “in before”) is used to predict something that will be posted by another user.
  • “Inb4” can also be used to predict something that will happen, like a thread being locked or a user being banned.
  • “Inb4” comments carry the same energy as someone replying “First” to an online video when they’re the first commenter.
Section 1 of 4:

Inb4 Definition

Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e7\/Inb4-Meaning-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Inb4-Meaning-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e7\/Inb4-Meaning-Step-1.jpg\/v4-728px-Inb4-Meaning-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Short for “in before,” “inb4” is posted in response to a post/thread to cheekily predict what future netizens will say or post in response to the original post. It can also be used to predict (both seriously and jokingly) what will happen to the original post/thread, like the user getting banned, the thread getting locked, etc. [1]
    • Person A: I wasn’t a big fan of the last BTS album
      Person B: Inb4 the kpop stans get here
    • “Inb4” is most commonly used in a digital forum setting. [2] You aren’t as likely to see it on traditional social media platforms, like Instagram or Twitter/X.
    2. Advertisement
Section 2 of 4:

How to Use Inb4

Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bc\/Inb4-Meaning-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Inb4-Meaning-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bc\/Inb4-Meaning-Step-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Inb4-Meaning-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you’re active in a digital space like Reddit or 4-chan, reply to a person’s post with “inb4” and what you think is going to happen. Your reply could be as simple as “inb4 b&,” or it could be something a little more nuanced and related to the content of the post.
    • Person A: “I have the worst time getting to sleep. What should I do?”
      Person B: “Inb4 people say ‘get off Reddit’”
    • Person A: “Superman is by far the strongest animated character of all time”
      Person B: “Inb4 goku” (Person B is implying that people will reply saying that Goku is the strongest character)
Section 3 of 4:

Other Common Uses

Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/ca\/Inb4-Meaning-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Inb4-Meaning-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/ca\/Inb4-Meaning-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Inb4-Meaning-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This phrase pays homage to the common “404 error” that netizens stumble across when something is removed from a digital space. [3] Users (particularly on 4-chan) use this to brag about how they were able to access content before it got deleted.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/64\/Inb4-Meaning-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Inb4-Meaning-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/64\/Inb4-Meaning-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Inb4-Meaning-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Read as “in before ban,” this phrase is used to predict when a user/poster will be banned by the forum’s moderators. [4] It might be used in response to an offensive message or something that blatantly goes against the forum rules.
    • (In the Metallica subreddit) Person A: I hate Metallica so much!!!!
      Person B: “Inb4 b&”
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/36\/Inb4-Meaning-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Inb4-Meaning-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/36\/Inb4-Meaning-Step-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Inb4-Meaning-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Read as “in before van,” this phrase is a playful way to tease someone for potentially doing something illegal online. [5] The term “van” refers to “party van,” which is a slang term for an FBI van.
    • Person A: “I’m using this sketchy site to watch anime”
      Person B: “Inb4 v&”
    4. Advertisement
Section 4 of 4:

Inb4 Origin

Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cb\/Inb4-Meaning-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Inb4-Meaning-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cb\/Inb4-Meaning-Step-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Inb4-Meaning-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    In 2006, the term “in before lock” was officially coined on Urban Dictionary as a way of announcing one’s presence and anticipating that a certain thread would be locked by moderators. In 2007, another UD user posted how “inb4” was an acronym used to predict future digital events (which is its current definition). [6]
    • By 2008, the slang was already making its way to different digital platforms.

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

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      What Does “IDGAF” Mean in Text? (Plus, When & How to Use It)
      Everything You Need to Know About the “My Roman Empire” TikTok Trend
      What Did Doc Holliday Mean by “I’m Your Huckleberry”?
      5 Common Meanings of “I’m Down”
      What Does “I Got You” Mean?
      What Does GGG Mean?
      What Does the Slang Term “FAFO” Mean? (Plus How to Use It)
      143 Meaning, Origins & Related Codes
      What Does it Mean to Enter Your Villain Era?
      What Does “Fit Check” Mean?
      Bookie Meaning: TikTok, Relationships & More
      What “IK” Stands for & How to Use It
      How to Use “How Did It Go?” in a Conversation
      What Does TBT Stand For?
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://7esl.com/inb4/
      2. ↑ https://7esl.com/inb4/
      3. ↑ https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTTP/Status/404
      4. ↑ https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/inb4--2
      5. ↑ https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/inb4--2
      6. ↑ https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/inb4--2

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 3,343 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement