NSFW - meaning and definition
AlsoSFWnot safe for workSFWsafe for workadult contentexplicit content
Definition
Short for "not safe for work": a warning that content contains nudity, sexual material or something else you would not want on screen in public. SFW means the opposite.
At a glance
- A warning label for nudity, sexual material or other content unsuitable for public screens.
- SFW means the opposite: safe to open anywhere.
- Labelling content lets the other person choose whether and when to open it.
- A label is not enough: sexual images need the recipient's clear agreement.
In detail
NSFW is a content label used on social platforms and in chats. Marking something NSFW lets the other person choose whether and when to open it.
In dating, labelling alone is not enough: sexual images should only be shared with someone who has clearly said they want to receive them.
In a sentence
- Heads up, the link in that thread is NSFW, don't open it on the train.
- Keep it SFW until we've actually met, please.
Where the word comes from
NSFW grew out of online forums and message boards in the late 1990s and 2000s, where users tagged links so others would not open them at work.
Common questions
Does marking an image NSFW make it okay to send?
No. The label warns about content, but it does not replace consent. Sexual images should only be sent to someone who has clearly said they want to receive them. Sending them unasked is cyberflashing, which is an offence in some countries.