Marketing Terms

IRL (In Real Life)

Discover the meaning of “IRL” (In Real Life) on our glossary page. Learn what “irl” means and how it’s used in online conversations and social media.

What Does IRL Mean? The IRL meaning is short for “In Real Life” which refers to actions, events, or interactions that occur offline, outside the realm of the internet or virtual world.

How IRL is used online and in social media

IRL is often used online to distinguish between virtual interactions and real-world experiences. For example, someone might say they’re meeting a friend “IRL” to indicate they’re meeting face-to-face rather than chatting online. On social media, it’s used similarly to emphasize genuine experiences or to humorously contrast online personas with real-life situations.