FOMO
Dead🦕AncientDefinition
Fear Of Missing Out. The anxiety that everyone else is having fun without you. Popularized in the early 2010s. Now so mainstream it's in actual dictionaries and therapist vocabulary.
Translation for Parents
It's the feeling you get when you see everyone's vacation photos on Instagram while you're stuck at work. You know FOMO. You HAVE FOMO. This word transcended slang and became a genuine psychological concept used by therapists. It's basically retired from slang duty.
Examples
“I couldn't go to the concert and my FOMO is unreal”
“I'm extremely anxious about missing the concert everyone else is attending”
“Don't post that, you'll give everyone FOMO”
“Don't post that, you'll make everyone else feel bad about missing out”
Cringe Score
Mildly embarrassing
FOMO graduated from slang to real word. You can use it at your therapist's office and they'll nod. It's a success story. The American Dream of slang.
Category
digital culture
Peak
2013-06
Last Verified
2026-02-25
Sources
editorial