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What does 'OOO' mean? Here's what it means and how to use it when you're away from work.


Have you ever seen a slang phrase you didn't know on social media? It seems new ones are popping up every day.

What about at your job? Sometimes, abbreviated terms can make their way into the workplace. While they help shorten conversation, their meanings are not always obvious.

"ICYMI," Paste BN has been breaking down text slang. We've already covered various explainers on different phrases, such as "AFK" and "IMO." 

Now, it's time to learn a new one. Here is the meaning and how to use "OOO." 

What does 'OOO' mean?

"OOO" stands for "out of office." Often used in business settings, the term notifies coworkers, clients or employees that you cannot be reached. It can be used while messaging, such as via Slack or Teams, or emailing.

It signals that someone is not working and will be unavailable for a period of time because they are on vacation, are sick or away for whatever reason.

How to use 'OOO'

Here are some examples of how to use "OOO":

  • "Just a reminder: I will be OOO from August 17 through 25."
  • "Is June OOO?" "Yeah, I think she's on vacation until next week."
  • "We need to coordinate this when Kai gets back." "He's OOO until Wednesday."

Just Curious for more? We've got you covered

Paste BN is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From "What does 999 mean?" to "How to make Facebook private?" to "How to find cheap flights?" − we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our Just Curious section to see what else we can answer for you.

Want to learn? Catch up on more text slang explainers: