W is short for win: a victory, a success. People use it to celebrate good luck, good news or a smart move: Got the job? Huge W. It's written in chats, comments and on streams, and the tone is approving.
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that's a W; huge/big W; take the W; W + noun (W move, W friend); opposite: L, take the L
- You found tickets for the final? That's a huge W!
- Our teacher moved the test to next week, honestly a massive W for the whole class.
- We didn't win the cup, but we beat last year's score, so I'll take the W.
What changed
First versionDear Professor Grant, getting a place on your course is a big W for me.
RevisionDear Professor Grant, getting a place on your course is a big achievement for me.
W is a word from chats and comments, but the email begins with Dear Professor Grant, so it's a formal text. The slang verdict was replaced with neutral achievement: the meaning is the same, and the tone fits.
The partner of W is L, from loss, a failure: That's an L. The most unusual part is the phrase take the L: you take the defeat, meaning you admit it and accept it calmly. I forgot my umbrella and got soaked, I'll take the L. Take the W, on the other hand, means counting something as a win, even a small one. In IELTS Speaking and in an essay, say a real success or a great result instead of W.
Your turn
I studied all weekend and got the highest mark in the class. Big ___ for me!
Show the answer
W — The top mark in the class is a success, and that's what W celebrates. L means a failure and would fit if the exam had gone badly.
Tell a friend about a small win from this week. Say what happened and celebrate it with W.
My landlord fixed the heating in just one day, that's a W.
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