ATM Meaning
Last Updated:What does ATM mean?
ATM means At The Moment. It could also mean Automated Teller Machine.
On this page:
- Where is ATM used?
- How is ATM used?
- Example Uses of ATM
- Who uses ATM?
- History of ATM
- Other Definitions of ATM
ATM is an initialism that stands for “at the moment”.
It is also commonly used to mean “automated teller machine”.
Where is ATM used?
The term is often used in text messages and online conversations on websites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and Discord.
ATM is used on the follow platforms and places:
- IRL
- texting
- online conversation
- Discord
- Facebook Messenger
- Snapchat
- Twitch
- YouTube
How is ATM used?
ATM is usually used when telling someone what you’re currently doing. For example, if they ask you to do something but you’re busy, you might say “Sorry, I’m busy ATM”.
It is also used when about automated teller machines (ATMs) from which people withdrawal money from their bank accounts in the form of cash.
Do people say ATM out loud?
People don’t say ATM out loud when they mean “at the moment”. Instead, they’ll just say the actual words (or something similar, like “right now” or “currently”).
When talking about automated teller machines, however, people almost exclusively say “ATM”; it is very rare for someone to actually say “automated teller machine”.
Example Uses of ATM
Sorry, I can't help because I'm busy ATM.
Someone tells their friend that they can't help them because they're currently busy.
I'm doing something ATM but I'll be over in a few hours.
Someone tells their friend that they'll be over in a few hours after they finish what they're doing.
On online conversation:I'm working on something ATM, but I'll send it over when I finish.
Someone tells a coworker that they'll send them some documents when they're finished working on what they're currently working on.
On Facebook Messenger:My boss is busy ATM, can I take a message?
An employee responds to a message on their company Facebook page asking for the boss.
In a text message:I would love to help but I'm pretty busy ATM.
Someone declines to help their friend because they are too busy.
On online conversation:I had to visit 10 different ATMs today because they all ran out of money 😔
Someone had to withdrawal money from ten different automated teller machines because they kept running out of money.
Who uses ATM?
ATM is used by a lot of different people, but primarily by people who grew up chatting with their friends online and are used to using acronyms and abbreviations.
History of ATM
First Use
We aren’t sure when exactly ATM was first used, but it was first defined on Urban Dictionary in 2002. It likely originated in an online chat room somewhere.
Rise in Popularity
Since 2009, Google searches for “ATM meaning” have steadily increased, according to Google Trends. This could be in part due to the increase in number of automated teller machines in the world, or due to more people using it to mean “at the moment” in online conversation.
What was used before ATM?
Before using ATM, people likely just typed “at the moment” or something similar like “currently” or “right now”.
Other Definitions of ATM
ATM can also mean:
- Automated Teller Machine
Automated Teller Machine
ATM is a very popular initialism that means “automated teller machine”, a device that allows people to withdrawal cash, deposit cash, transfer funds or get account information about their bank accounts.