What Does AFK Mean?

AFK stands for "Away From Keyboard." It's internet and gaming slang used to tell others that you've stepped away from your computer and won't be responding for a moment.

How it's used:

• In online games, players type "afk" or "brb afk" to let teammates know they're temporarily gone (grabbing a snack, answering the door, etc.).
• In chat apps, Discord, and forums, it signals you're not actively at your device.
• It can be used as a status ("I'm AFK"), a verb ("I'm going to AFK for five minutes"), or a label for someone who isn't responding ("he's AFK").

Related terms you'll often see with it:

• BRB — "Be Right Back"
• BBL — "Be Back Later"
• AFK farming — in games, leaving your character running/idle to gain rewards without actively playing

Origin: The term dates back to early internet chat rooms and IRC in the 1990s, and it became especially common in multiplayer online games.

In short: if someone says they're AFK, they're temporarily away from their computer/keyboard and aren't actively watching the screen or replying.