Trivia Time

In what year was LOL, as in laughing out loud, first recorded?

Test Your Knowledge

LOL

American  

[el-oh-el, lol] / ˈɛlˌoʊˈɛl, lɒl /

Or lol

interjection

1. laughing out loud; laugh out loud: used as a response to something funny or as a follow-up to something said only as a joke.

   You can see from the pics that my dog did not appreciate how we dressed him up for Halloween this year. LOL!

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verb (used without object)

LOLed, LOLing

1. to laugh: I can’t stop loling over this dumb video!

   I literally LOLed when I got your text.

   I can’t stop loling over this dumb video!

LOL British  

abbreviation

1. laughing out loud

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Etymology

Origin of LOL

First recorded in 1985–90; from its use in digital communications

Example Sentences

Former Cure drummer Lol Tolhurst, posted a tribute on Instagram, saying: "So sad to hear about Perry Bamonte passing... Farewell Teddy."

From BBC • Dec. 26, 2025

In a series of experiments, Muñoz designed structural variations of the Lol inhibitors and evaluated their potential to fight gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria in cell culture.

From Science Daily • May 29, 2024

IT’S NOT A PHASE: In his second book, “Goth: A History”, Lol Tolhurst, co-founder the influential “goth” band The Cure, explores the often-misunderstood movement, what he calls “the last true alternative outsider subculture.”

From Seattle Times • Nov. 20, 2023

Lol Tolhurst’s “Goth: A History” succeeds at what’s often thought of as an impossible task: defining the roots, influences and impact of goth.

From Salon • Oct. 28, 2023

"Why, Lol, it's raining like—like in the days of Noah!" she cried.

From Peggy-Alone by Craig, Anna B.