What does IRL mean?
In Real Life
Detailed Explanation
IRL is an acronym for 'In Real Life.' It's used to distinguish between a person's online activities or persona and their life in the physical, offline world. It's a fundamental piece of internet jargon for separating digital interactions from tangible ones.
Usage Examples
“We've been online friends for years, but we're finally meeting up IRL next week.”
“His online persona is really aggressive, but he's super chill IRL.”
“I need to take a break from the screen and do something IRL.”
Origin & History
IRL is one of the foundational acronyms of internet culture, emerging from the earliest days of online chat and MUDs (Multi-User Dungeons) in the 1980s and 90s as a way to differentiate between game life and real life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IRL still relevant with how integrated the internet is now?
Yes, while the line between online and offline life has blurred, IRL is still commonly used to specify face-to-face interaction as opposed to digital communication.