FWIW Meaning, Definition, and How to Use It

If you’ve seen the abbreviation FWIW online or in text conversations, you might be wondering what it means. So, what exactly does FWIW stand for?

The short answer is that FWIW is an abbreviation for the phrase for what it’s worth.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways people use FWIW in conversation.

What Does FWIW Stand For?

FWIW is a contraction for the phrase for what it’s worth. People often use it to soften a statement or to make a point they're not entirely sure will be helpful to the other person.

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What Does FWIW Mean?

Now that we’ve talked about what FWIW stands for, let’s take a closer look at what it means.

FWIW Meaning in Text

It’s often hard to convey tone while texting since the recipient can’t see your facial expressions and body language. Using the acronym FWIW is a good way to convey calmness and gentleness in text.

You might use FWIW when you’re giving someone a piece of information that you’re not sure will be useful to them. That way, you can chime in without sounding too presumptive.

For example, you might say, “FWIW, the ice cream shop on 9th St. is really good. I’d recommend checking it out if you have time.”

Similarly, you might use FWIW to comfort someone if they’re feeling down. You might say, “You did a great job, FWIW.”

Examples of How to Use FWIW Abbreviation

Let’s take a look at an example where FWIW is being used in a conversation between friends.

• Friend 1: I’m still so embarrassed about our karaoke night. I feel like I was the worst singer in the group.

• Friend 2: FWIW, I thought you sounded great. Besides, singing in public is never easy.

Here’s an example of FWIW being used in a conversation between siblings.

• Sibling 1: This book is way too dense. I just can’t get into it at all.

• Sibling 2: Fair enough, but FWIW, the enemies-to-lovers romance arc was really well done. Personally, that’s the part that kept me reading.

Remember that FWIW is frequently used in conversations between friends, but it might not make sense in professional settings. You can use ProWritingAid’s Paraphrase report to help reword your writing for more formal situations.