Online gaming has its own fast-moving vocabulary, built for typing quickly during a match or coordinating with teammates in the middle of the action. Whether you're playing an MMO, a shooter, or a mobile game with English-speaking teammates, you'll run into a steady stream of two-to-four-letter shorthand in chat.
This reference explains the gaming abbreviations you're most likely to see in-game and in gaming communities, from basic sportsmanship terms like GG to mechanics-focused terms like DPS and RNG. Knowing them helps you follow team chat, forums and streams without constantly pausing to look words up.
Abbreviation Reference Table
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| GG | good game |
| GLHF | good luck, have fun |
| AFK | away from keyboard |
| NPC | non-player character |
| OP | overpowered |
| RNG | random number generator |
| FTW | for the win |
| DPS | damage per second |
| XP | experience points |
| PvP | player versus player |
| PvE | player versus environment |
| POV | point of view |
| HP | hit points / health points |
| MMO | massively multiplayer online (game) |
Example Sentences
Below is one example sentence for each abbreviation above, showing how it is actually used in context.
Other Abbreviation Groups
Practise Abbreviations
Test your recall with free interactive exercises — flash cards, matching, and quizzes.
Start Practising NowFrequently Asked Questions
What does GG mean in gaming?
GG stands for “good game”. It's a sportsmanship phrase typed at the end of a match, win or lose, to show respect for the other players. A related version, GGWP, adds “well played”.
What is the difference between PvP and PvE?
PvP (“player versus player”) describes modes where you compete directly against other human players. PvE (“player versus environment”) describes content where you fight computer-controlled enemies or challenges instead, such as monsters or bosses.
What does AFK mean, and how is it used?
AFK means “away from keyboard” — the player has stepped away and isn't actively controlling their character. Teammates might type “brb, going afk for a sec” before pausing, or complain “that guy's afk the whole match” about an inactive player.
What does OP mean when someone calls a character or weapon "OP"?
OP means “overpowered” — something significantly stronger than the rest of the game's content, often seen as unfair until developers “nerf” (weaken) it in a balance update.
What is RNG and why do gamers complain about it?
RNG stands for “random number generator”, the system that decides random outcomes like item drops, critical hits, or loot quality. Gamers often blame “bad RNG” when luck goes against them, even when it's simply chance.
What does NPC mean outside of games?
NPC (“non-player character”) originally meant a computer-controlled character with no real player behind it. Online, it has jokingly spread to describe a real person seen as unoriginal or predictable, though this usage can be dismissive and is best avoided in serious conversation.
What does DPS mean in a game description?
DPS stands for “damage per second”, a measure of how much damage a character, weapon, or build deals over time. It's also used as a role name for characters built to deal heavy damage, as opposed to “tank” or “support” roles.
Are gaming abbreviations understood outside of English-speaking countries?
Many are, because online gaming communities are highly international and English functions as the shared language of most global game chat, so terms like GG, AFK and OP have spread far beyond native English speakers.
Is it okay to use gaming abbreviations outside of games?
Some, like GG and AFK, have crossed over into everyday informal chat and social media as playful shorthand. Others, like DPS or PvE, stay firmly inside gaming contexts and would confuse anyone outside that community.
Where can I practise learning gaming vocabulary in English?
LexFizz's Flash Cards and Quiz exercises work well for memorising abbreviation meanings. Watching English-language streams or reading patch notes with subtitles is also a great way to see these terms used naturally.