What does it mean to 'DNF' a book or get an 'ARC'? Book slang explained.

Like any online community, bookish spaces come with their own lingo.

Ever heard someone refer to an author as an “auto-buy”? They’re telling you they would pick up anything said author published without hesitation. Or how about “insta-love”? This is a romance trope (and a divisive one) that describes an immediate, all-consuming love at first sight.

If you’re new to BookTok, Bookstagram or BookTube, you’d better study up so you can fully immerse yourself into the world of book commentary. Here’s your definitive guide to the bookish slang and acronyms you’ll come across.

What does TBR mean?

"TBR" means to be read. Readers use this acronym to refer to a list of books they want to pick up next, whether it's new releases or older titles they haven't cracked open yet. If a friend recommends a book, you can add it to your TBR list. Here’s how to create a TBR or use the acronym in a sentence.

What does DNF mean?

"DNF" means did not finish. When you see a reader talking about a “DNF” it means they didn’t complete the book, either because it wasn’t interesting or they weren’t in the mood to continue. On book tracking apps like Goodreads, Storygraph and Fable, readers will sometimes mark a “DNF” with where in the book they stopped.

How to use it in a sentence: “‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ by Sarah J. Maas wasn’t for me, DNF at 30%.”

What does CR mean?

"CR" stands for current read. Many book influencers and authors put “CR” in their social media bios to share with followers the title they’re currently diving into. You can use this in your personal life too – try asking your group chat of well-read friends what their CR is.

What is an ARC?

An "ARC" is an advanced reader copy, a pre-publication version of a book given to readers, journalists and other authors by the publisher. They’re typically offered in exchange for reviews or publicity. These are also sometimes referred to as “galleys” or “uncorrected proofs” because they’re a near-finished version of the book.

How to use it in a sentence: “Did you see she got an ARC of ‘Intermezzo’ by Sally Rooney? I’m so jealous.”

What does RTC mean?

"RTC" stands for review to come. Often used by book influencers with an ARC in hand, this acronym means they’ve got thoughts to share. However, anyone can use this acronym with friends and other readers.

How to use it in a sentence: “I can’t believe I got my hands on the new Brandon Sanderson book. RTC!”

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What does TW mean?

"TW" stands for trigger warning and is a note of caution at the beginning of a book or discussion of a book. Sometimes also called "CW," or content warning, a TW is a heads up for readers that there might be disturbing material in a book, like sexual or domestic violence or a mental health emergency.

What does WIP mean?

"WIP" means work in progress. If you see your favorite author post about their WIP, it’s a good sign – another published work is likely on the horizon.

Romance trope acronyms: FMC, MMC meaning

If you’re a regular consumer of BookTok’s romance content, you’ve probably seen people talking about “FMC” and “MMC.” These are terms used to describe the main character – "FMC" means female main character and "MMC" means male main character.

If someone talks about “MM” romance, they mean a love story with two male love interests. Likewise, “FF” romance is two female love interests and “MF” is a mixed-gender romance story. They're sometimes styled as M/M, F/F and M/F.

You may also hear someone refer to a book relationship or two characters as their “OTP,” which means they’re the dream couple – the one true pair. Here’s where that slang term originated.

Romance trope acronyms: HEA meaning

Did your character get an "HEA" at the end of your book? This stands for happily ever after – the love interests are together or a protagonist got what they were striving for. They often include an epilogue to show you just how grand things panned out.

Or maybe your characters got an "HFN," or happy for now – in a romance book, this usually means the characters end up happy at the end of the book, but readers might be left hanging on whether it’s a “forever” romance.

What is the word for liking books?

Someone who likes books is called a "bibliophile." And if you've got an overflowing bookshelf and a never-ending thirst for reading, you may be suffering from "bibliomania," according to Merriam-Webster.

Looking for your next great read? USA TODAY has you covered.

Taste is subjective, and USA TODAY Books has plenty of genres to recommend. Want a festive holiday read or a Christmas romance book? We’ve got 10 titles you should try. Is dystopian your thing? Check out these books that are similar to “The Hunger Games” and “1984.” Or if you want something with lower stakes and loveable characters, see if a "cozy mystery" or "cozy fantasy" book is for you. If you want the most popular titles, check out USA TODAY’s Best-selling Booklist.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: BookTok slang: DNF, FMC, TW meaning and how readers use them