IMO
/eye-em-oh/abbreviation · initialism
Meaning
IMO is an informal written initialism for “in my opinion.” It introduces or qualifies a statement to show that it reflects the writer’s personal judgment, preference, or interpretation rather than an objective fact.[1]
- 1. Used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a personal opinion: IMO, the original is better.
- 2. Used at the end of a sentence as a short qualifier that frames the statement as the writer’s view: That update made the app worse, IMO.
Examples
“IMO, the blue version looks way cleaner.”
“That was the best episode, IMO.”
“IMO we should leave before traffic gets bad.”
“The sequel is fun, but the first movie wins IMO.”
Origin and spread
IMO is a transparent initialism formed from the first letters of “in my opinion.” Its exact first use is uncertain, but the expression was established in online communication by the 1990s: a May 4, 1999 Usenet discussion explicitly explains “IMO” as “In My Opinion.” A 2004 study of newsgroup communication describes IMO as a widely understood Usenet abbreviation, and later references document its continued use in email, texting, forums, and social media. IMO is related to IMHO, but the added H gives that form a more deferential or self-deprecating flavor.
How to use it
IMO is casual and usually neutral, though it can soften a disagreement or make a strong judgment sound less absolute. It is common in texts, chats, comments, forums, and informal emails. In formal writing, spell out “in my opinion” unless the audience is comfortable with internet shorthand. Do not confuse this meaning with other uses of IMO, including the International Maritime Organization.
