Texting slang
What does TBH mean?
TBH means "to be honest." People add it to a text when they are sharing a real opinion or admitting something, a bit like saying "honestly" out loud.
TBH stands for “to be honest”
TBH is short for "to be honest." It usually comes right before or after an opinion, so the reader knows the person is being sincere rather than polite.
It can soften a small complaint ("TBH I didn't love the movie") or add warmth to a compliment ("TBH you were the best part of the party"). It does not mean the person is usually dishonest. It is simply a friendly way to flag a candid thought.
Examples in a text
- TBH I'd rather stay in tonight.Same, let's do pizza at home.
- That haircut looks great on you tbhThank you, that made my day!
- Tbh I forgot it was your birthday, so sorry!No worries at all.
How to reply
- Answer the opinion itself. You do not need to repeat TBH back.
- If it was a compliment, a simple "thank you" is perfect.
- If it was a gentle complaint, it is fine to say "thanks for telling me."
TBH is casual but kind. Capital or lowercase letters mean the same thing.
Related terms
Looking up a different abbreviation? See the full texting slang list. If your texts are not sending at all, try why texts are not sending on Android.