If you’ve seen “WLW” pop up on TikTok, Instagram, or in a text, you might be wondering what it means. This abbreviation is widely used in LGBTQ+ communities and online spaces, but it can also appear in pop culture references, movies, and even slang conversations.
In this guide, we’ll break down what WLW means, its different contexts (from chat messages to education), and how it connects to related terms like MLM, sapphic, and femme.
What Does WLW Mean?
WLW stands for “Women Loving Women” — a phrase that refers to women who are romantically or sexually attracted to other women. It’s an inclusive term that can describe lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, queer, or other women who love women, without requiring a specific label.
WLW in Text and Slang
In texting or online chat, WLW carries the same meaning, but it’s often used casually. For example:
- Friend 1: “Have you seen this WLW movie?”
- Friend 2: “Yes, total sapphic vibes.”
Here, it’s shorthand for content or relationships involving women loving women.
WLW in TikTok Culture
On TikTok, the hashtag #WLW is used to share content such as:
- Romantic videos between women
- LGBTQ+ awareness posts
- WLW aesthetic trends
- Clips from WLW movies and shows
TikTok has helped normalize the term for younger audiences and made it a common tag in sapphic communities.
Related Terms: MLM, Sapphic, GL, and More
To understand WLW fully, it’s useful to know related terms:
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| MLM | Men Loving Men — refers to men attracted to men |
| Sapphic | Relating to women’s love for women (includes lesbians, bisexual women, etc.) |
| GL | Girls’ Love” — a genre focusing on romantic relationships between women, often used in media |
| Femme WLW | A woman loving woman who presents in a feminine way |
| STEM WLW | A WLW person working or studying in science, technology, engineering, or math |
| Carabiner WLW | Playful slang for WLW who enjoy outdoor, sporty, or climbing activities |
WLW in Different Contexts
- Urban Dictionary: Often defines WLW in both serious and humorous ways, focusing on romance between women.
- On Instagram: Usually found in hashtags to tag sapphic content or WLW aesthetics.
- In Movies: Refers to films that feature central women-loving-women storylines, such as Portrait of a Lady on Fire.
- In Sororities: WLW might be used discreetly to signal someone is part of the LGBTQ+ community.
FAQs About WLW
Q1: What does WLW mean in chat?
It still means “Women Loving Women,” often used to describe a sapphic relationship or topic casually in conversation.
Q2: What’s the difference between WLW and sapphic?
Sapphic is a broader term that can include non-women identities attracted to women, while WLW specifically refers to women.
Q3: What does MLW and WLW mean together?
MLM = Men Loving Men, WLW = Women Loving Women. These are parallel terms used in LGBTQ+ spaces.
Q4: What’s “carabiner WLW”?
It’s lighthearted slang for women loving women who enjoy outdoorsy or sporty lifestyles.
Q5: What does WLW mean on TikTok?
On TikTok, it’s a hashtag for romantic sapphic content, trends, and community videos.
Final Thoughts
WLW is more than just an acronym — it’s a way of representing identity, attraction, and community. Whether you encounter it on TikTok, in a text, or in LGBTQ+ media discussions, it’s a term rooted in inclusivity and connection.
By understanding WLW and its related terms like sapphic, MLM, and GL, you can better navigate conversations in both online and offline queer spaces.
