ICYMI

What Does ICYMI Mean in a Text?

The Quick Answer

ICYMI means "In Case You Missed It."

More Observations...

The abbreviation ICYMI is often used as a way to recap or bring attention to information that was previously shared. It's a way to ensure that information is seen by as many people as possible, especially those who might have missed it the first time. For example:

• Jo: Trump claimed the election was rigged, encouraged his supporters to attack the Capitol, has been found guilty of sexual assault, and is a liar. ICYMI, here's a link to an article about the 30,573 false or misleading claims he made over 4 years: washingtonpost.com
• Sam: ICYMI, here's a link to an article about the MSM cover-up of Hunter Biden's laptop: nypost.com.

Image for ICYMI

When I write ICYMI, I mean this:

ICYMI is used to bring attention to information that was previously shared.

Summary of Key Points

"In Case You Missed It" is, by far, the most common meaning for ICYMI when it is used in a text. (Bear in mind that it could have another meaning if used in a different context.)

ICYMI
Definition:	In Case You Missed It
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	4: Difficult to guess
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

An Academic Look at ICYMI

ICYMI is an initialism abbreviation. Technically, this means it is pronounced using its individual letters (i.e., Eye See Why Em Eye). However, as this is harder to say than "in case you missed it," ICYMI is not often spoken using its letters. It is an abbreviation used for efficiency in writing, rather than for efficiency in speech. The ICYMI can be classified as an adverb of condition. Such adverbs normally start with if. Compare the examples below:

• If you missed it, here it is.
• ICYMI, here it is.

An adverb of condition (especially when it's a phrase at the start of a sentence) is usually followed by a comma to offset it from the main clause. However, in text speak and internet chat, the comma is nearly always omitted for brevity.

Example of ICYMI Used in a Text

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