I still remember the first time I saw someone post “TIL” on Twitter, followed by a random fact 😅. I thought it was a typo or maybe someone’s name. But then I started noticing it everywhere in Reddit comments, YouTube replies, and even in WhatsApp group chats.
Every time it appeared, it was followed by something new or surprising. That’s when I realized “TIL” wasn’t just random letters, it was actually a super popular internet slang.
Once you know what it means, you’ll start seeing “TIL” all over social media and realize how useful it is for sharing new information.
Quick Answer:
TIL means “Today I Learned.” It’s a casual and informative way of saying I just discovered something new.
🧠 What Does TIL Mean in Text?
In texting and online slang, TIL = Today I Learned.
People use it when they want to share a new fact, discovery, or realization. It’s like saying:
“I didn’t know this before, but now I do.”
TIL is mostly used to:
- Share interesting facts
- Admit learning something new
- React to surprising information
- Start educational posts
Example Sentence:
A: “Did you know octopuses have three hearts?”
B: “til 😲”
Here, “til” shows surprise and new knowledge.
In short:
TIL = Today I Learned = I just found out something new.
📱 Where Is TIL Commonly Used?
TIL is extremely popular in online and social media culture.
You’ll mostly see it on:
- Reddit 🧵 especially in the r/TIL community
- Twitter / X 🐦 sharing fun facts
- YouTube comments ▶️ reacting to videos
- Instagram captions 📸 learning moments
- WhatsApp & Telegram 💬 group chats
- Discord 🎮 casual discussions
Tone:
- ✔ Casual
- ✔ Informative
- ✔ Curious
- ❌ Not formal
- ❌ Not professional
TIL is internet friendly slang, not meant for official writing.
Examples of TIL in Conversation
Here are some realistic chatstyle examples:
- Example 1:
A: “Bananas are actually berries.”
B: “til 😳” - Example 2:
A: “Sharks existed before trees.”
B: “til that’s baffling” - Example 3:
A: “There’s no word that rhymes with orange.”
B: “til wow” - Example 4:
A: “Your brain burns calories even while sleeping.”
B: “til 🤯” - Example 5:
A: “Netflix started as a DVD rental company.”
B: “til lol” - Example 6:
A: “Some cats are allergic to humans.”
B: “til didn’t know that” - Example 7:
A: “The heart of a shrimp is in its head.”
B: “til that’s weird 😂”
TIL makes conversations feel curious, fun, and educational.
🕓 When to Use and When Not to Use TIL
✅ When to Use TIL:
- Sharing fun facts
- Learning something new
- Casual discussions
- Social media posts
- Group chats
❌ When Not to Use TIL:
- Work emails
- Academic writing
- Professional reports
- Serious conversations
- Formal presentations
Comparison Table
| Context | Example Phrase | Why It Works |
| Friend Chat | “til that’s cool 😄” | Casual & fun |
| Group Chat | “til didn’t know that” | Natural tone |
| Work Chat | “I just learned this.” | Professional |
| “I recently discovered…” | Formal & clear |
Using “TIL” at work can sound unprofessional or childish.
Similar Slang Words or Alternatives
| Slang | Meaning | When to Use |
| idk | I didn’t know | Casual chats |
| wow | Surprise | Emotional reaction |
| fr | For real | Showing disbelief |
| omg | Oh my God | Shock |
| learn something new | Literal meaning | Formal use |
| fun fact | Interesting info | Social media |
All of these express learning or surprise, just like TIL.
FAQs❓
Q1: Is TIL rude?
No. It’s friendly and curious.
Q2: Is TIL only for social media?
Mostly yes, but also used in casual texts.
Q3: Can TIL be used sarcastically?
Yes. Sometimes people use it to mock obvious facts.
Q4: Is TIL professional?
No. Avoid it in formal communication.
Q5: Is TIL used worldwide?
Yes, among English speaking internet users.
Q6: Does TIL always mean something new?
Yes, it’s always about learning something.
Final Thoughts
TIL is one of the most positive slang terms online. It shows:
- Curiosity
- Learning
- Openness to new ideas
Instead of saying:
“I just learned something interesting today.”
People simply say:
“TIL”

I’m Jorge Isaacs, the author of themeaning.com, and I’m an expert in meanings. I explain the true sense of words, phrases, and slang so you can understand them clearly.


