ILYL

What Does ILYL Mean in a Text?

Expressing Love in a Text

There are over 100 novel ways to express love in a text message. Some of them were invented by the iKids (i.e., Millennials, Generation Z, and Generation A), making them just a few decades old, but many of them have been around for centuries. Here's the one that matters to you: ILYL means "I Love You Lots."

More Observations...

ILYL is an expression most likely used between friends, rather than between loved-up couples. "I love you lots (ILYL)" has a casual, childlike sense - especially when followed with "like jelly tots" (as it sometimes is). It's also the sort of thing one might say when talking to a pet or when patting the bonnet of a new car affectionately. ILYL is also used as a farewell.

Image for ILYL

When I write ILYL, I mean this:

I love you lots (ILYL) is something we might say to friends.

Summary of Key Points

"I Love You Lots" is, by far, the most common meaning for ILYL when it is used in a text. (Bear in mind that it could have another meaning if used in a different context.)

ILYL
Definition:	I Love You Lots
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	2: Quite easy to guess
Typical Users:	Adults, Teenagers, and Under 13s

Examples of ILYL in Sentences

Here are examples of ILYL in conversations:

Friend A: I've gotta run. See you tomorrow. ILYL.
Friend B: Like jelly tots! Bye.

Dog owner: You are such a good boy ILYL.
Dog (thinks): Where's my treat then?

An Academic Look at ILYL

ILYL is used as a standalone declarative sentence (i.e., a statement). In other words, it is not used as another part of speech within a wider sentence. Of note, as it is pronounced using its individual letters (i.e., "Aye El Wye El"), ILYL is classified as an initialism abbreviation. Initialisms are different to acronyms, which are spoken like words.