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

And so, while his siblings FaceTime with their IRL families, Joe finds himself on a British barstool — a pubstool — beside a bearded stranger in a red leather jacket.

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“The apps are still really useful, but a lot of people these days are looking for that rom-com, IRL meet-cute,” said Davis.

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“I love going into a store and feeling the fabrics, trying things on, interacting with the sales staff — I want to celebrate the thing I’m getting,” says Laurel Pantin, who writes the Substack “Earl Earl” and is opening up her own boutique in L.A. called Earl IRL.

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“We used to have churches. Now, not a lot of people practice religion in America. Having a community, having an IRL experience is an incredibly valuable thing.”

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

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