Have you ever asked someone what they’re doing and received a short, two-letter reply? Consider what NM means and how to use it in your messages.

Not Much

NM stands for “not much.” It’s usually a response to questions like “What’s up?” or “What are you doing?”

This abbreviation is commonly used in texts and on social media. It’s a neutral reply, often needing more conversation to keep things going.

Like many online abbreviations, NM is typically written in lowercase. It can work as a complete response when answering a question. 

NM can mean “nothing much” or “not much,” and people use both in the same way. You choose whether “n” stands for “nothing” or “not.”

People often combine NM with “HBU” (how about you?) to return the question to the other person.

The Origin of NM

NM began in early internet chatrooms and message boards, similar to many other online acronyms. Urban Dictionary first defined it in 2002.

People have started using it frequently on instant messaging platforms like AIM and Yahoo.

They used NM to quickly respond to casual small talk before moving on to honest conversations. For example:

• Person A: “What’s up?”
• Person B: “nm. Hbu?”
• Person A: “nm.”

Today, NM remains popular in messaging apps like WhatsApp, iMessage, and Viber. It also often appears in community chatrooms like Discord and online gaming.

Nothing Much Going On

People often use NM to say nothing is happening or express boredom. Young people at home frequently use it when looking for something to do.

However, NM sometimes means something is happening. Sometimes, people use it to suggest that things are the same. 

For instance, if someone asks about work, replying with NM could mean there’s nothing new or noteworthy going on. Since it’s brief and lacks detail, NM doesn’t initiate conversations.

People usually use it to engage in small talk before beginning a real conversation.

Indicating Availability

NM is often used to show availability. For example, if someone asks about your plans for tomorrow and you reply with “nm,” it can signal that you are free.

This response might lead to an invitation to a social event.

You can also use NM even when you’re not available yet. If someone you want to spend time with asks what you’re doing, responding with “nm,” even while busy, implies you’ll be free for the activity they have in mind.

Not Much vs. Never Mind

NM can also stand for “never mind.” While NM was once commonly used in early online chatrooms, “NVM” has since become the preferred abbreviation.

However, some still use NM to mean “never mind.” To understand which meaning applies, pay attention to the context of the conversation.

How to Use NM?

The acronym NM is very casual, even compared to others. It’s best to use it with friends or in informal situations.

People rarely say it out loud; instead, they usually say “not much” or “nothing much” in person.

Here are a few examples of how NM can be used in online chats:

“nm, same as always.”
“NM. What about you?”
“nm. Just working on homework.”
“NM. I have some errands to do in the morning.”

For more internet abbreviations, check out our pages on NSFW and ICYDK.