IMY Meaning: Definition, Uses & Ways to Reply (with Examples)

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An overview of the IMY acronym, including what it means and how it's most commonly used on text and social media

Co-authored by Glenn Carreau

Last Updated: May 4, 2024 Fact Checked

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What does IMY mean?

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How to Use IMY

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How to Reply to IMY

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Alternate Versions of IMY

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IMY and ILY

Did someone send you the IMY abbreviation in a text or social media message, but you’re not sure what they mean by it? We’re here to help! We’ve compiled a handy guide to help you learn all about this popular texting abbreviation, including its meaning and examples of how to use it. Read on to learn more about IMY, how to use and reply to it, and related abbreviations you can incorporate into your messaging.

Things You Should Know

IMY stands for “I miss you.” People usually use it to express their feelings to friends, lovers, and family members.
Use IMY to tell someone you miss them. Ask to catch up with them, make plans if you haven’t seen them in a while, or flirt with a significant other.
React earnestly when someone sends you IMY. Let them know how much you miss them too, and agree to make plans if they ask you about it.

Section 1 of 5:

What does IMY mean?

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IMY is an abbreviation of the phrase “I miss you.” Used in text messages and other modes of informal communication—like social media—IMY is a quick and easy way to tell someone that you miss them. It can be used in romantic, friendly, and familial exchanges; though IMY is more casual than writing out “I miss you,” it still communicates a sense of closeness and affection.^{[1]
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- “Hey, how’s it going today? IMY!”
- “When can we have our next date night? IMY soooooo much!”

Section 2 of 5:

How to Use IMY

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Let someone know you’ve been thinking of them with IMY. Telling someone that you miss them also implies that you care about them and they’ve been on your mind. So, when you want someone to know they’re in your thoughts, whether it’s your romantic partner or a best friend, include a quick IMY in your next message.^{[2]
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- “Thinking of you today ❤️ IMY!!”
- “Just wanted you to know you’ve been on my mind. IMY, dear friend! 🤗”
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Use IMY when you want to catch up with someone. Missing someone can imply that you haven’t spoken with them in a while and would like to touch base with them. You can easily use IMY in a text asking someone how they’ve been or what they’ve been up to. It’s an easy way to say that you want to learn more about their life right now, whether it’s been days, weeks, months, or years since talking last.^{[3]
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- “I feel like it’s been a million years since we last talked! IMY! How’ve you been??”
- “Hey, what’s up? Haven’t heard from you in a while, and IMY! 😄”
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Ask someone to make plans with you using IMY. When you miss someone, it’s only natural to wish you could spend a little more time with them. Use IMY when you want to get together with someone in person (or simply schedule some time for a video call). Let them know that you miss them with IMY, and bring up the possibility of hanging out together.
- “Hey! IMY. Any chance we could get together and hang out the next time I’m in town?”
- “I’m so sad we missed our usual movie night this week! IMY!! Can we reschedule?”
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Flirt with a date or significant other using IMY. You can use IMY in a slightly playful manner when you and your partner are being coy yet affectionate with one another. If they ask something like, “Do you miss me?” you could respond with an equally cheeky (and loving) IMY message.
- Person 1: “How much do you miss me?”
- Person 2: “I’ll show you how much IMY on our date later tonight! 😘”

Section 3 of 5:

How to Reply to IMY

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Let them know that you miss them too. When someone wants you to know that they’ve been thinking of you and they miss you, it’s easy enough to respond in kind. Tell them you miss them—you could even just say you’re happy they were thinking of you and appreciate their kind words!
- Person 1: “Just wanted to say that IMY, my love! 😍”
- Person 2: “I miss you too, babe! Can’t wait to see you again next week. 🥰”
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Ask how they’re doing and catch up with them over text. Texts like “Hey, how have you been?” indicate that the sender misses you and feels a little out-of-touch with your life right now. If someone is interested in reconnecting and hearing about how you’re doing, feel free to give them the full update!
- Person 1: “Hey, IMY! It’s been too long. How are you doing? 😊”
- Person 2: “It’s so nice to hear from you! I’m doing all right. Got a new cat last month, wanna see some pics?”
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Make plans with them if they’re interested in meeting up. When someone expresses their desire to see you in person because they miss you, let them know when you’re available and see if you can make some plans together. Of course, you’re never obligated to meet up with someone you don’t want to see, so only agree to this if you’re enthusiastic about it.
- Person 1: “IMY! Are you free this week?”
- Person 2: “Miss you too! I’m free on Wednesday if you want to hang out? 😁”
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Continue the exchange if you and your significant other get flirty. If you have a playful, flirty banter going with your partner over text, you can keep flirting or get a little more earnest with your next messages. Either way, sweet and romantic texts like this can show your partner how much you care for them!
- Person 1: “Do you miss me?”
- Person 2: “IMY so much. Can’t wait to show you just how much tomorrow 💋”
- Person 1: “IMY too. We are gonna have the best time together tomorrow! 😘”

Section 4 of 5:

Alternate Versions of IMY

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When someone texts you “IMY,” you could reply with “IMYT.” Since the natural response to “I miss you” is usually “I miss you too,” IMYT is a quick abbreviation that allows you to say exactly that. Alternatively, you could write “IMY2,” which also means “I miss you too,” but it uses a “2” in place of the word "too."
- Person 1: “Hey, IMY!!”
- Person 2: “Aw, IMYT! 😊”
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Write “IMYSM” when you want to say, “I miss you so much!” There are several other abbreviations related to IMY, and one of the most popular is IMYSM, which is useful when you want to put extra emphasis (and warmth) on how much you missed someone. Use IMYSM in place of IMY with people you’re close to and tend to miss more intensely. Similar abbreviations include:
- IMYM: “I miss you more.”
- IMYMTA: “I miss you more than anything.”
- MYSM: “Miss you so much.”

Section 5 of 5:

IMY and ILY

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The “IMY” acronym is most similar to “ILY,” which means “I love you.” Though they don’t mean the same thing, IMY and ILY are often used in overlapping contexts. ILY also has related abbreviations like ILYSM (“I love you so much,”) and for couples, close friends, and family members who both love and miss one another, IMY and ILY are sometimes used either together or interchangeably.^{[4]
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- “Hi, babe. Just your daily reminder that ILY. 💋”
- “Hey, bestie! IMYSM and ILY!!”