What does FOMO mean?
Fear Of Missing Out
Detailed Explanation
FOMO is a form of social anxiety describing the feeling that you might miss out on exciting events, experiences, or opportunities that others are having. It is often exacerbated by seeing posts on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, where people share highlights of their lives. It drives a desire to stay continually connected with what others are doing.
Usage Examples
“I have major FOMO seeing everyone's pictures from the concert.”
“I bought the tickets just out of FOMO, I didn't even want to go that much.”
“His FOMO is so bad he can't even turn his phone off for an hour.”
Origin & History
The term was coined in the early 2000s but gained widespread popularity in the 2010s with the explosion of social media, which made it easier than ever to see what others were doing in real-time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FOMO a new phenomenon?
The feeling itself is not new, but the term 'FOMO' and its strong connection to social media are modern. Technology has amplified the feeling significantly.