KMS

What Does KMS Mean?

KMS means "kill myself" and "kilometers." The actual meaning depends on the context.
image for KMS

In general use, especially related to distance or speed, kms is a common abbreviation for kilometers, a unit of measurement equal to 1,000 meters or exactly 0.621371 miles. (Although, kilometers is officially abbreviated as "km".) For example:

  • I ran 10 kms every day for a week. By Friday I was 140 km away from home and had to get a bus back.
However, in internet slang or texting, KMS is often used in a melodramatic or joking manner with the meaning "kill myself", particularly among younger people or in informal online conversations. In this context, it is often employed to express frustration, disappointment, or embarrassment over a situation that is not literally life-threatening, but rather inconvenient or momentarily upsetting. For example:
  • Thought my camera was off during the meeting and the whole team saw me picking my nose. KMS!
  • KMS! I just sent a rather suggestive selfie to my boss, instead of to Sam!
In many contexts, KMS is similar in use and meaning to KMN ("Kill Me Now." While it is typically used in a light-hearted way, it is important to be sensitive to an actual cry for help. When in doubt about someone's intent or emotional state, it's always best to respond with empathy and support.

Image for KMS

When I write KMS, I mean this:

meaning of KMS

The actual meaning of KMS depends on the context.

Summary of Key Points for the First Definition

"Kill Myself" is the most common definition for KMS on Snapchat, WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
KMS
Definition:Kill Myself
Type:Abbreviation
Guessability:guessability level 3

3: Guessable

Typical Users:typical user

Adults and Teenagers

Summary of Key Points for the Second Definition

"Kilometers" is another common definition for KMS.
KMS
Definition:Kilometers
Type:Abbreviation
Guessability:guessability level 3

3: Guessable

Typical Users:typical user

Adults and Teenagers

An Academic Look at KMS

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KMS can be considered an initialism abbreviation, as it is pronounced one letter at a time. Other examples of initialisms are AI ("Artificial Intelligence") and EW ("Electronic Warfare"). Initialisms are different to acronyms, which are abbreviations spoken as words (e.g., GOAT ("Greatest Of All Time"), NATO ("North Atlantic Treaty Organization").

Example of KMS Used in a Text

KMS
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See Also

Search All Abbreviations Beginning With The Letter K :$ (embarrassed) >//< (embarrassed) AND I OOP (expression of shock, surprise or embarrassment) BROKE (embarrassed (Irish slang) or penniless) BUZZ KILL (to ruin a special moment) CRINGE (feeling of embarrassment or awkwardness) GKY (go kill yourself) KYS (Keep Yourself Safe, Kill Yourself, Know Your Students)

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