Ever been scrolling through your chats and suddenly stumble on someone saying, “ngl, that was hilarious” and you freeze for a second?
I remember the first time I saw it, I genuinely thought it was a typo. I kept rereading the message wondering if I was supposed to “google” something. Only later did I learn it was one of the most common slang terms online.
Quick Answer:
NGL means “Not Gonna Lie.” It’s a casual, honest, and sometimes slightly dramatic way of saying “to be honest…” or “truthfully…”
🧠 What Does NGL Mean in Text?
NGL stands for Not Gonna Lie. People use it when they want to express honesty, emphasize their real feelings, or give an opinion (sometimes a bold one). It can be serious, funny, flirty, or even emotional — depending on context.
Example:
“ngl, that movie was way better than I expected.”
In short: NGL = Not Gonna Lie = being honest or upfront.
📱 Where Is NGL Commonly Used?
You’ll see NGL almost everywhere in casual conversations, especially:
- 📱 Text messages
- 👻 Snapchat
- 🎵 TikTok comments
- 🟦 Twitter/X posts
- 💬 Instagram DMs
- 🎮 Gaming chats
- 💻 Discord servers
Tone:
✔ Casual
✔ Social-media–friendly
✔ Not appropriate for formal or professional communication
💬 Examples of NGL in Conversation
Here are realistic, everyday examples showing how people actually use it:
1
A: u liked the show?
B: ngl, it was kinda boring 😅
2
A: be honest, how’s my outfit?
B: ngl you look amazing 😳🔥
3
A: u eating healthy today?
B: ngl i just ate 3 donuts
4
A: did u finish the assignment?
B: ngl i forgot all about it 💀
5
A: how’s the new update?
B: ngl it’s lowkey disappointing
6
A: did u miss me? 😌
B: ngl… yeah a little 😏
7
A: party tonight?
B: ngl i just wanna sleep lol
🕓 When to Use and When Not to Use NGL
✅ When to Use NGL
- With friends in casual chats
- When being honest about your feelings or opinions
- When giving lighthearted criticism
- In flirty messages
- On social media posts or comments
❌ When NOT to Use NGL
- Work emails
- Professional conversations
- Serious or sensitive topics
- When speaking to someone who may not understand slang
- Formal communication of any kind
Comparison Table
| Context | Example Phrase | Why It Works |
| Friend Chat | “ngl that was hilarious 😄” | Casual, fun, honest |
| Work Chat | “To be honest, I think we can improve this.” | Clear & professional |
| “Please review this at your convenience.” | Formal, polite, no slang |
🔄 Similar Slang Words or Alternatives
| Slang | Meaning | When to Use |
| TBH | To Be Honest | When stating a real opinion politely |
| FR | For Real | To emphasize truth or agreement |
| IMO | In My Opinion | When sharing personal thoughts |
| IDK | I Don’t Know | When unsure or being honest |
| Lowkey | Slightly / secretly | When expressing subtle feelings |
| Highkey | Very / openly | When expressing strong feelings |
❓ FAQs
✧ Is NGL rude?
Not by itself — but the message following it might be. It depends on tone.
✧ Can NGL be flirty?
Yes! Phrases like “ngl you looked cute today” are often flirty.
✧ Is NGL appropriate for work?
No. Use full phrases like “to be honest” instead.
✧ Does NGL always mean honesty?
Mostly, yes. It’s used when someone wants to be direct or truthful.
✧ Is NGL formal or informal?
It is highly informal and belongs only in casual communication.
Conclusion
NGL is one of those slang terms that shows just how playful and expressive modern texting has become. Meaning “Not Gonna Lie,” it’s a simple way to introduce honesty, humor, or real feelings in a conversation.
Whether you’re giving an opinion, confessing something, or being a little flirty, NGL adds a relatable human touch to your messages.
Just remember it’s strictly casual, so keep it out of work emails and formal chats. Now that you know exactly how to use it, you’ll spot it everywhere and maybe even start using it yourself.
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Hey, I’m Julian Crosswell — an SEO expert and data-driven content strategist.
I believe great SEO starts with understanding human behavior and creating content that truly connects.
Through Similifye.com, I combine creativity, analytics, and storytelling to help readers build trust online.
