PFP

What Does PFP Mean?

In text-based chat, PFP means "Picture for Proof" or "Profile Picture." PFP also means "Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome," "Partnership for Peace," and "Pay for Performance."

Here is more information about each of these definitions with examples.

Picture for Proof

The abbreviation PFP is often used with the meaning "Picture for Proof" as a challenge to a claim someone has made. In this context, PFP is a request or demand for photographic evidence.

PFP is typically used between friends as a good-humored challenge to a status update on social media. It is also used between lovers, when it may imply that the sender doesn't trust their partner and wants them to prove that they are where they claim to be.

When used during sexually explicit online conversations, PFP is a request for pictorial proof that the recipient is doing what they say they're doing (e.g., sitting naked or lying in bed).

• Jenny: I've lost 3kg by eating lemons.
• Patsi: PFP.
• Jenny: Nah, not really.

• Jack: I'm still on a fishing trip with the boys.
• Jill: PFP.
• Jack: There's not enough bandwidth to send a picture.
• Jill: Well, take a picture of you all in the boat and I'll look at it when you get back.

"Picture For Proof" is also often abbreviated as P4P.

Profile Picture

PFP is also used with the meaning "Profile Picture." In this context, a PFP is an avatar that depicts the writer or account owner. The term is used widely on social-media, especially on apps such as Facebook and TikTok.

• Terry: Have you changed your PFP on TikTok?
• Ali: Of course! The monkey PFP is all the rage, don't you know?

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

In medical circles, PFP is used with the meaning "Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome." This is defined as pain around or behind the patella (knee cap), which is aggravated by any activity that loads the joint during weight-bearing when the knee is bent. PFP is a particularly common condition among runners.

Partnership for Peace

PFP is also used to refer to NATO's "Partnership for Peace" program, which is designed to create trust among NATO states, other states in Europe, and those of the former Soviet Union.

Pay for Performance

In the healthcare sector, PFP is used with the meaning "Pay For Performance" to refer to a payment model which offers financial incentives to staff, hospitals, and other healthcare providers for meeting performance criteria.

A Video Summary

Here's a short video explaining the meaning of PFP.

Image for PFP

When I write PFP, I mean this:

PFP also means "Profile Picture," "Partnership for Peace," "Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome," and "Pay for Performance."

Summary of Key Points

First definition of PFP

"Picture for Proof" is the most common definition for PFP on Snapchat, WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

PFP
Definition:	Picture for Proof
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	3: Guessable
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Second Definition for PFP

"Profile Picture" is another common definition for PFP, especially on Facebook and TikTok.

PFP
Definition:	Profile Picture
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	3: Guessable
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Third definition of PFP

"Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome" is a common definition for PFP among doctors, physiotherapists and athletes.

PFP
Definition:	Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	4: Difficult to guess
Typical Users:	Specialists

Fourth definition of PFP

"Partnership for Peace" is a definition for PFP, used in military and diplomatic circles.

PFP
Definition:	Partnership for Peace
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	4: Difficult to guess
Typical Users:	Specialists

Fifth Definition for PFP

PFP also means "Pay for Performance."

PFP
Definition:	Pay for Performance
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	5: Extremely difficult to guess
Typical Users:	Specialists

An Academic Look at PFP

As it is pronounced using its individual letters (i.e., "Pee Eff Pee"), PFP is classified as an initialism abbreviation. (Initialisms are different to acronyms, which are spoken like words.)

When used with the meaning "Picture for Proof," PFP represents a sentence fragment. (i.e., it is an incomplete sentence that still conveys meaning.)

Example of PFP Used in a Text

Quiz

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