The acronyms GM and GN help people greet and say goodbye at different times of the day. Let’s explain what they mean and how to use them in chats.

Greetings and Goodbyes

GM means “good morning,” while GN stands for “good night.” People often use these terms in text messages or group chats to start morning conversations and close them at night.

GM often indicates that someone is just waking up, whereas GN shows they are getting ready for bed.

These acronyms are usually written as “gm” and “gn” in lowercase. Using capital letters might lead to confusion, as they can mean something else in certain contexts.

Similar to these acronyms, you might also see “nyt,” a shorthand for “good night” used online.

The Origins of GM and GN

The acronyms GM and GN gained popularity in the early 2000s. The earliest mention of GM in Urban Dictionary dates back to 2003 when it was defined as “a greeting used online for good morning.”

In contrast, GN first appeared in Urban Dictionary in 2004, meaning “good night.”

Although these terms likely existed since the 1990s, they became popular with the launch of instant messaging platforms like AOL Instant Messenger and Yahoo Messenger.

These platforms were some of the first ways teens communicated online.

By the 2010s, GM and GN saw a huge surge in use, especially with the growth of online dating.

As texting became the primary way for couples to connect, these abbreviations became staples in the online dating scene.

A Quick Way to Say Hello and Goodbye

In online chat rooms and communities, you often see the terms “GM” and “GN.” “GM” stands for “good morning,” while “GN” means “good night.”

When someone says “GM,” they tell others they’re awake. On the other hand, “GN” suggests that the person is either going to bed or logging off.

However, just because someone types “GN” doesn’t always mean they are going to sleep; they might just be leaving their device.

Since people worldwide use the internet, many chat rooms have users in different time zones. This makes “GM” and “GN” popular in international communities.

You might see phrases like “gm everyone” or “gn all” to indicate what time it is for the speaker. This is common in Discord servers, MMORPGs, and Twitter discussions.

These abbreviations usually reflect the speaker’s local time. When someone types “GM,” they’re typically highlighting that it’s morning where they are.

Different Meanings of GM

In turn-based games like chess, GM can stand for “good move.” But GM also has a special meaning in chess, which refers to a “grandmaster,” the highest rank a player can achieve.

Another meaning of GM is “genetically modified,” though this is often shortened to GMO, standing for “genetically modified organism.”

GM can also represent General Motors, a major car manufacturer. Lastly, when written as “gm,” it can refer to “gram.” You’ll usually see it after a number, which makes it easy to recognize.