IRL

1. in real life (in contrast with communication and interaction online or in a fictional situation).

   I play online video games with people I've never met IRL.

IRL

abbreviation

1. text messaging in real life

2. Ireland (international car registration)

Word History and Origins

Origin of IRL¹

From its use in digital communications

Example Sentences

What makes the “Kyle M” stunt just a little confusing is: Mooney really is sweet, sincere and earnest IRL.

From Los Angeles Times

As in any post-Zoom encounter, it was a chance to discover how tall you were, or as one attendee described the IRL meet-and-greet to me, “how autistic you are.”

From Slate

If you angled the Instagram app just so you’d glimpse a miniature metallic silver version of the artist greeting you, a comically muscly folklore demon towering behind you, or a pair of futuristic-looking avatars flanking paintings as though they were standing beside you IRL.

From Los Angeles Times

None of those figures, though, has made as much noise IRL recently as Illinois Gov. J.B.

From Slate

Plus, “Gossip Girl” alumnus Leighton Meester, Brody’s wife IRL, joins the fun, playing Joanne’s childhood nemesis.

From Los Angeles Times