FOMO

FOMO (noun / US Slang)

(Also heard as: Fear of missing out, Got FOMO, FOMO is real)

Definition:

FOMO stands for “fear of missing out”, the anxious feeling that other people are having more fun, doing something better or living a more exciting life than you. It often hits when scrolling social media or hearing about an event you did not attend.

Where FOMO Comes From:

The term was coined by marketing strategist Patrick McGinnis in a 2004 article, and the phrase took off in the early 2010s with the rise of Instagram and Facebook. It was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2013, and psychologists have studied it as a social media effect.

How People Actually Use FOMO:

People say “I have got major FOMO” when they miss a party. Brands use FOMO to sell limited-time offers. It is also joined with “JOMO”, the joy of missing out, for people who are glad to stay in.

Is FOMO Offensive?

No. It is a mainstream, widely understood term, though the feeling itself can affect mental wellbeing.

Examples in the Wild:

• “Everyone is at the festival and I am at home. Total FOMO.”

  Meaning: I feel left out.

• “I only bought tickets because of FOMO.”

  Meaning: I did not want to miss it.

• “Delete the app, you are giving yourself FOMO.”

  Meaning: Scrolling is making you feel left out.

Similar Slang:

Doomscrolling, Chronically Online, Lurker, Hater, Bed Rot, Gutted

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