L8TR

What Does L8TR Mean in a Text?

The Quick Answer

L8TR means "Later."

More Observations...

This term uses the sound of the number 8 to replace the "ate" part of the word. L8TR can be used to refer to a period of time not yet arrived, e.g., "See you later," and can sometimes be used to close a conversations with the addition of "s" or "z," as in "L8TRZ".

Image for L8TR

When I write L8TR, I mean this:

L8TR means later.

Summary of Key Points

We have summarized the key points in the table below:

L8TR
Definition:	Later
Type:	Internet Slang Term
Guessability:	1: Easy to guess
Typical Users:	Adults, Teenagers, and Under 13s

Examples of L8TR in Sentences

Here are examples of L8TR in conversations:

• Tim: I've got to work L8TR. Can you save me some dinner?
• Karen: Yes. I will leave yours in the oven.

• Sonia: What are you doing L8TR?
• Steve: I'm going to the cinema.

An Academic Look at L8TR

L8TR is defined as an "internet slang term" by our team because some of its characters are used as substitutes for letters. Many "slang terms" were introduced to reduce the number of key strokes required to write words, but since the arrival of predictive texting and keyboards on mobile devices such savings are less important. "Internet slang terms" are still regularly used to make messages more entertaining or to express individuality. "Slang terms" differ from icons because they are not pictorial representations of words. L8TR is typically used as an adverb of time. An adverb of time modifies a verb to describe when the verb occurs. For example:

• I'll see her L8TR.
(Here, L8TR emphasizes that the verb (to see) is occurring in the future.)

What Did We Say before Texting and Social Media?

Before the digital era, we would have just said "later" instead of L8TR.

Using Numbers in Texts

This video shows the different ways that numbers are used in "text speak":

Example of L8TR Used in a Text

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