L

What Does L Mean in a Text?

The Quick Answer

The letter L means "Laugh" or "Laughing," "Lose" or "Loss," and "L. Lawliet." L is usually typed in lowercase (i.e., as "l").

Laugh/Laughing

L is often used as an abbreviation of the words "laugh" or "laughing." It is a further abbreviation of terms like LOL (laugh/laughing out loud). The use of L often (but not always) indicates boredom or a lack of genuine mirth on the part of the sender. For example:

Toni: When my friend went into labor she shouted, "Can't! Couldn't! Didn't! Shouldn't! Won't!" The doctor said, "The contractions have started."
Jordan: L.

Sam: Times New Roman walked into a bar. The bartender said, "Get out of here! We don't serve your type!"
Jo: L.

Lose/Loss

The letter L is also used as an abbreviation of the words "lose" (as in "You lose") and "loss" (as in "Catching a loss"). For example:

Chris: I vote for going to Murphy's on Saturday.
Lee: L. We have already bought tickets for Dwayne's.

Ali: I am going to tell Robin that I saw you with Les.
Ray: Well you'll be the one catching an L. I split with Robin last week.

L Lawliet

In the Japanese anime and manga series Death Note, the letter L is used to refer to the fictional detective L. Lawliet.

Image for L

When I write L, I mean this:

L. Lawliet is a popular anime and manga character.

Summary of Key Points for First Definition of L

"Laugh/Laughing" is, by far, the most common meaning for L when it is used in a text. (Bear in mind that it could have another meaning if used in a different context.)