- Tech
-
-
Tech
The gadgets, platforms, and software that make your digital life possible. if it bleeps, clicks or blinks, you’ll find it here.
-
Categories
-
-
Latest
- Microsoft employees want to cancel a $479 million contract with the U.S. military Today 1:14 PM
- Elon Musk finally hosts PewDiePie’s meme review Friday 6:27 PM
- Report: Facebook collects app data on users’ body weight, menstrual cycles Friday 3:38 PM
- Nobody likes Spotify’s new update Friday 2:34 PM
- Viral graphic shows the moment Apple became the top brand Friday 12:27 PM
-
-
-
- Internet Culture
-
-
Internet Culture
There’s a community for everyone online.
-
Categories
-
-
Latest
- ‘Isabelle Facts’ was a wholesome queer meme account—until harassers showed up Today 8:28 AM
- Elon Musk finally hosts PewDiePie’s meme review Friday 6:27 PM
- Viral graphic shows the moment Apple became the top brand Friday 12:27 PM
- This ‘buff bunny vs. small bunny’ meme is here for when you’re feeling inferior Friday 10:53 AM
- Ocasio-Cortez slams trolls who come at her with ‘weak’ memes Friday 10:52 AM
-
-
-
- Streaming
-
-
Streaming
You’ve cut the cord—now what?
-
Categories
-
-
Latest
- How to stream Brandon Rios vs. Humberto Soto for free Today 6:00 AM
- ‘The Haunting of Hill House’ heads to ‘Bly Manor’ for next installment Today 5:45 AM
- How to stream James DeGale vs. Chris Eubank Jr. for free Today 5:30 AM
- How to stream UFC Fight Night 145 in Prague for free Today 5:00 AM
- R. Kelly charged in Chicago with multiple counts of sex abuse Friday 7:51 PM
-
-
-
- IRL
-
-
IRL
Where your off- and online identities collide.
-
Categories
-
-
Latest
- Student assaulted on campus while tabling for right-wing group Friday 1:56 PM
- This elementary school made students play ‘runaway slave’ Friday 11:20 AM
- Feds say college student operated drug business through gaming app Thursday 4:36 PM
- Disturbing Snapchat video shows 17-year-old throwing dog on trampoline Thursday 12:16 PM
- Florida prisons sued for depriving inmates of music they paid for Thursday 11:36 AM
-
-
-
- Social
-
-
Social
If it happens online, it’s here.
-
Categories
-
-
Latest
- Microsoft employees want to cancel a $479 million contract with the U.S. military Today 1:14 PM
- Queso recipe gets launched to space Today 10:09 AM
- ‘Isabelle Facts’ was a wholesome queer meme account—until harassers showed up Today 8:28 AM
- 2016 election stories the ‘Newsroom’ reboot will cover Today 6:30 AM
- How to stream Brandon Rios vs. Humberto Soto for free Today 6:00 AM
-
-
-
- Bazaar
-
-
Bazaar
The Bazaar specializes in the stuff you don’t actually need…but you really, really want.
-
Categories
-
-
Latest
- Allow your wallet to be your spirit guide during this rad anime sale Tuesday 10:43 AM
- 14 artsy cartoon mugs that’ll help make your days more creative Monday 12:15 PM
- Get your nerd on with ThinkGeek’s Funko Pop B2G1 sale Monday 3:00 AM
- Play all your NES games in high def with the Hyperkin RetroN HD Tuesday 8:39 AM
- The Introvert Activity Book is perfect for those who find solace in alone time Monday 11:30 AM
-
-
-
- More
- Search
See all Editor's Picks →
See all Popular →
Represented by Complex Media, Inc. for advertising sales.
Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Ethics
Latest
- Microsoft employees want to cancel a $479 million contract with the U.S. military Today 1:14 PM
- Queso recipe gets launched to space Today 10:09 AM
- ‘Isabelle Facts’ was a wholesome queer meme account—until harassers showed up Today 8:28 AM
- 2016 election stories the ‘Newsroom’ reboot will cover Today 6:30 AM
- How to stream Brandon Rios vs. Humberto Soto for free Today 6:00 AM
- ‘The Haunting of Hill House’ heads to ‘Bly Manor’ for next installment Today 5:45 AM
- How to stream James DeGale vs. Chris Eubank Jr. for free Today 5:30 AM
- How to stream UFC Fight Night 145 in Prague for free Today 5:00 AM
- R. Kelly charged in Chicago with multiple counts of sex abuse Friday 7:51 PM
- Elon Musk finally hosts PewDiePie’s meme review Friday 6:27 PM
- Netflix throws ‘Umbrella Academy’-themed wedding for fans Friday 4:54 PM
- Report: Facebook collects app data on users’ body weight, menstrual cycles Friday 3:38 PM
- Amy Klobuchar reportedly ate salad with a comb, and Twitter’s got questions Friday 2:47 PM
- Nobody likes Spotify’s new update Friday 2:34 PM
- Student assaulted on campus while tabling for right-wing group Friday 1:56 PM
What does TFW actually mean?

Jesse33/Shutterstock (Licensed) Remix by Jason Reed
That feeling when you don’t know what TFW means.
What does TFW mean? It’s as much a feeling as it as an acronym. Here’s everything you need to know about TFW to use it correctly.
What does TFW mean?
TFW typically means “that feeling when,” but its exact meaning is slightly ambiguous. TFW can also stand for “that feel when” or even “the feel when.”
Usually used at the beginning of a sentence, TFW (or tfw) is used as an attempt to evoke a common feeling from your audience.
What else could TFW mean?
Some interpret TFW as “that face when” which sort of means the same thing, as in, the expression your face makes when you have a certain physical or emotional reaction. Alternatively, over on YouTube, TFW is shorthand for “thanks for watching.”
READ MORE:
The history of TFW
TFW is thought to have evolved from the “I know that feel bro” meme which is used online to convey empathy and/or sympathy. A notable example of TFW is “tfw no gf.” This means “that feeling when you don’t have a girlfriend.” It’s common internet vernacular to replace “feeling” or “feelings” with a simple, concise “feel.”
Another common example is saying that something “gets you in your feels” or “gives you all the feels.” Translation: You’re getting really emotional, and you’re not afraid to let everyone know.
How to use TFW
1) TFW can be used to describe a physical feeling, whether it’s uncomfortable, awkward, painful, or exciting.
TFW you stump your pinky toe on a door frame…OWwww😖 pic.twitter.com/3FVCcZ0Bv2
— karichap🧐☕️ (@Karichap83) May 28, 2018
2) TFW is used to describe an emotional experience. This is usually an emotional reaction that has been personified with a GIF, meme, or image.
3) TFW can also be employed as a humorous way to caption images, GIFs or video.
READ MORE:
Editor’s note: This article is regularly updated for relevance.

Amy-Mae Turner
Amy-Mae Turner is a tech reporter who focuses on gadgets, streaming entertainment, social media, and internet lingo. She previously served as a senior features writer for Mashable.