What Does “Hwy” Mean?

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Find out how to properly use this texting term

Co-authored by Mason Martinez, BA

Last Updated: January 16, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Meaning of “Hwy”
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• How to Use “Hwy”

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In an age where abbreviations and various Gen-Z slang are all over social media, it may feel overwhelming to see another unfamiliar phrase like "hwy" pop up on your feeds or DMs. But don't fret. In this article, we'll teach you the various meanings—and misunderstandings—of the term "hwy" and how to use it properly.

Things You Should Know

• "Hwy" is a slang term for “Hey” used to greet someone and capture their attention.
• The abbreviation of “Hwy” is also used as a shorthand for highway to offer directions to another individual.
• ”Hwy” is also used to check in on a friend or loved one. It means “How were you?”

Steps

Section 1 of 2:

Meaning of “Hwy”

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1. 
   1
   Hwy is slang for “Hey.” You may have seen "hwy" used among millennials and Gen Z-ers on social media platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, or Instagram. In this case, it’s a misspelling turned into the latest slang trend.

   • You may also see this misspelling used for “why,” which means nothing more than to seek clarification on a particular topic.
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   Hwy is an abbreviation of highway. Generally, you'd say "hwy" over text when offering directions to another person. You may also see this highway shorthand used on road signage to save space. Abbreviations and acronyms like "hwy" are used to get straight to the point and avoid distracting the reader.
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3. 
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   Hwy is an abbreviation of “how were you?” The phrase is often used via text or social media to ask how someone is doing in the past tense.
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Section 2 of 2:

How to Use “Hwy”

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1. 
   1
   Greet someone with "hwy." If you want to slide into someone’s DMs, start the conversation with a simple “Hwy” text. Unlike sending a “Hey,” text, using slang alternatives is a way to catch the other person’s attention.

   • However, if you get a “hwy” text with an awkward placement such as the middle of the text, consider if the abbreviation is being used to convey, “why?” Because of the placement of the keys on a keyboard, “hwy” is a common typo for why.
   • Avoid typos by taking a moment to think about what you want to say. Before hitting send, reread your text to catch any glaring errors.
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   Provide highway directions. While the days of relying on an atlas are far gone, you never know when modern technology may fail you. Use shorthand terminology such as "hwy" to write directions onto a piece of paper to provide information quickly and efficiently.

   • You may write, "Take Hwy 34 South for 2.3 miles. The Tavern will be on your left."
   • You may also see “hwy” used on digital road signs, also known as variable message signs, that may use the shorthand of highway to save space and provide necessary detour or highway closure information quickly.
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   Ask how someone is feeling. If a loved one had a bad day or experience and you didn't get the chance to check in, that's okay. Check-in with them by offering a simple "hwy?" text afterward. Doing so lets them know you care and still want to know how they're doing.

   • Stuck in a time crunch? Start the conversation with a quick "Hwy?" text to check in.
   • You could say, "Hey, I heard you had to take a double shift yesterday. That sounds exhausting. Hwy?"
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