What Does CX Mean When Texting? (4 Interpretations)

Texting is essential to survive in this world. It is one of the easiest ways to communicate. Texting does not take much time and can convey a lot within a few words. However, texting has an entirely different language system, which consists of weird abbreviations, emojis, stickers, and gifs.

The popularity of a set of these things changes with the changing times. The words, phrases, abbreviations, and emojis that were popular a few years ago have been replaced by a new set now. Learning and unlearning are, therefore, necessary when it comes to texting.

However, sometimes, we come across certain text lingo that confuses us. We end up taking a lot of time to comprehend what the person is trying to tell us. We are often ashamed to ask that person what they mean by that particular abbreviation.

Therefore, in the process, we get irritated for having to waste so much time on something that could have been easier if the person texting us used the actual word or expression instead of the abbreviation to convey what they wanted to say.

My friend Mike faced a similar situation one day when his colleague Ava texted him, “Thank you, cx,” for baking a cake for her birthday celebrations the other day. At first, he thought it was a typo. He was proved wrong when she texted the same “cx” thing the next day when he helped her with a presentation. He checked out the office group chat, typed the letter “cx” in the search bar, and scrutinized its usage in the group to get context, but he failed to find out what it meant. That is when the two letters started bugging him.

Similarly, another acquaintance of mine, Derek, was confused when his girlfriend, Maya, texted him, “Meet me at the coffee shop at 12:00 PM.” A few minutes later, the text was followed by “cx- Meet me in front of my apartment at 11:00 AM.” Well, here, his confusion was short-lived. Although he did not know what cx meant, he understood that it had something to do with the correction in the time and venue.

In the aforementioned instances, we have a situation where the meaning of “cx” is shrouded with mystery and another situation where the intention of its usage is sort of clear (thanks to the words following it). Well, with a bit of research, I have found that the discussed abbreviation means many things. Here is a list of things it can denote. Scroll down to go through.

One “cx.” Many meanings.

Confused with an abbreviation used by someone in a text? We all have been there, and it is okay to be confused. There is nothing to be ashamed of.

By now, we know that the abbreviation “cx” holds multiple meanings. The meanings mostly depend on the contexts and situations they are used in.

In this section, we are going to talk about the different usages of “cx” along with proper contextual examples.

Keep scrolling.

#1 Smiling emoji with squinty eyes

We write words and paint images. That is a common practice around the world. However, there are certain situations where we write an image. We write emojis.

As we all know, emojis (or emoticons) are little pictures that denote human emotions. By now, we have an emoji for almost everything under the sun. Name a situation or a thing, and your keyboard will sprout an emoji for the same.

Putting an emoji into a text requires us to move our typing finger from the alphabet in the keypad to the side where the emoji icon resides. Shockingly enough, that is a painstaking process for many. I know! Lazy us!

It has been established by now that maneuvering the typing finger a little bit to reach the emoji icon can be a colossal task. What to do then? Well, one can even type out an emoji. The “cx” that we are discussing is one such thing.

In texts, “cx” represents the smiling emoji with squinty eyes. It was probably invented by someone who was too lazy or too busy to touch the emoji icon on their keypad. I must admit, it is a clever way to denote the emoji we are discussing.

The emoji with a squinty-eyed smile or a grinning squinting face is the one with a yellow face and closed eyes that takes the shape of the letter “x.” The smiling mouth looks like the letter “c.” It is often used to represent excitement, a wide smile, or hearty laughter. People send it when they are amused, or they find something to be funny.

“Cx” as an emoji does not portray laughter as hard as the well-known laughter emoji denoted by “XD” does. “Cx” is somewhat equivalent to LOL (Laugh out Loud), whereas “XD” mostly represents ROFL (Rolling on the Floor Laughing). XD is not used much in formal conversations (the ones between colleagues and co-workers), as it can make things informal real quick. Cx, therefore, is the best way to showcase your laughter through texts while talking to a colleague.

However, these things depend on people’s relationship with each other and mostly on one’s common sense. It is up to you to decide what to use in which conversation. You know your life and the people in it better than anyone else. Use your emoji accordingly.

#2 Correction

As we have seen in Derek's case in the aforementioned instance, cx has been used to denote correction. Stumbling across the word for the first time could be confusing. However, unlike other usages of cx, this one is pretty self-explanatory, thanks to the words before and after the abbreviation.

Before WhatsApp came up with the text editing feature, we dealt with typos and other textual mistakes in the following way:

• We used cx to denote the correction
• We used an asterisk (*)
• We simply typed the corrected text below the wrong one (mostly in informal conversations)
• We used the “delete for all” feature and re-typed (or not) the text

The new text editing feature on Whatsapp helps us rectify our mistakes without hassle. But what about the other apps? None of them have such a feature to hide our mistakes. That is when we use abbreviations like cx.

However, one thing should be remembered about this particular abbreviation. Cx is mostly used in formal or semi-formal conversations. One can use cx to mark corrections in official texts.

The example I used was related to dating. Derek’s girlfriend Maya used cx in one of her texts to denote a correction in time and venue for their upcoming date. Here is a list of a few scenarios when a person you are dating may use cx to mark a correction:

• You two have just started to date
• They act formally with everyone (it can be an upbringing or a professional thing)
• They think you will mind if they do not behave properly (this generally comes from related trauma experienced in past relationships or childhood)
• They are too self-conscious while interacting with you

#3 Crying

The expression “cx” is also used to denote a sad or a crying face in online conversations. Like point number one in this section, in this case, too, cx is used to replace an emoji. An alternate version of it, that is, “xc,” is also used to denote the same. Cx is used as a crying face to show disappointment, sadness, and other related emotions or expressions.

Let’s check out an instance of its usage.

Sophie had a fight with Jake. She was dejected and angry when she started typing out a long text that contained all that she felt at the moment. The text, naturally, had no emojis. But she used cx a number of times.

We have all been there. All of us are guilty of sending those long texts to people we care about after we had a fight with them.

The thing to be noticed here is that we tend not to use emojis in long emotional texts. We often enter a trance-like state while typing those texts. It turns into this Coleridge-like flow of emotions (that often seem unstoppable). In this typing flow, we do not have the intention or need to include emojis. They would only hinder our flow of emotions. Isn’t it? Instead, we use expressions like cx to denote what we have to say.

Also, many people think that using an actual emoji would dilute the gravitas of their emotional outbursts. They think it would make the words in their text look untrue. We associate sadness or dejection with the lack of color. An emoji definitely brings color to our monochrome-like texts. That is a big no-no for some people while writing about serious stuff.

#4 Customer Experience

We use the acronym cx to denote the words “Customer Experience” in formal texts. The words here are self-explanatory. This version of cx deals with the overall experience a customer had while using a certain product or service produced or offered, respectively, by an organization.

Cx here is often based on the feedback provided by the customer. It is mostly used in corporate or business conversations where the discussion on the well-being of customers takes center stage.

The cx in business-related texting is an aggregation of everything said or experienced by the consumer about the product offered by the brand. It serves to enhance the quality of the service provided.

What if you still do not get it?

The first word that comes to our mind in this situation is “EMBARASSMENT.” We often feel shy to ask someone to clarify things that are supposed to be understood by all.

What if they laugh at us?

What if they say something that might insult us inadvertently?

This is when we consult the internet for help. But the internet can come up with multiple answers to confuse you.

Well, here are some other ways to know the meaning of cx.

#1 Ask a friend who texts a lot

Texting is one of the most common human activities these days. However, having a thorough knowledge of texting lingo is not common. You know a few things while you miss out on some.

In this case, you have surely missed out on cx.

Anyway, no worries. You can always take the help of a friend who lives and breathes texting lingo. Shed your inhibitions and ask them what cx means. A person who stays glued to their phone at all times is more likely to know these acronyms than anyone else.

Asking things like this can make you feel a little ashamed. Not knowing things does not make us humans feel good. Feeling shaky is, therefore, normal. However, it will not help you know what you need to know. Admitting your ignorance is sometimes the best thing you can do.

In this case, it will save you from the potential embarrassment of not knowing what cx is.

#2 Ask a teenager you know

Like your friend who is addicted to their phone, most teenagers these days are well-versed in texting lingo. They might know more than any grown-up about this.

The teenagers of today have grown up in an age dictated by mobile phones and technological advancements that most of us adults (read millennials) could never have thought of in our teenage days.

We have seen stuff from science fiction come to life. The teenagers I am talking about were born into it. Naturally, they will know these things better than us.

We all have teenagers in our families or extended families. Go and ask one of them to explain what cx means. They will probably give you the best information.

However, beware of them because it is famously said that teenagers can be rude. If that is the case, you can choose to ignore their rudeness for the sake of essential knowledge. After all, most of the teachers were rude back in our day.

#3 Ask the person who sent you the text

This is probably the bravest and the best option at the same time. You can simply ask the person who sent you the text what cx means. Again, admit your ignorance, and things will look much easier.

I know you have that sword of embarrassment hanging over your head. Let me tell you something about this. You only get embarrassed when you let it happen. In this case, not admitting that you do not know what cx means will eventually bring your truth out in the open. That is when the real embarrassment will strike.

It is always better to get your confusion clarified by the person who is responsible for creating it. Asking them what cx means will not make you inferior. It will only make you human. A person is not supposed to know everything. We learn throughout our lives till the day we breathe our last. I am sure there are things that you know better than others. There are things that people will come to you for to clarify their doubts.

#4 Look for it on social media

Social media is the new tree of knowledge. You can look for anything you want to know, and it will have an answer (or multiple answers). You are confused about the meaning of the acronym “cx.” Look for it on various social media platforms to get an idea about its usage. That way, you will not have to rely on other people for knowledge.

When it comes to learning new things, the best place to visit is YouTube. You will probably find a bunch of videos that deal with the same topic. Choose one and start learning. This is probably the most hassle-free way to know what cx means.

You can also search for it on Facebook and check out the posts and comments to get an idea about its various uses. You will get a lot of human perspectives here as there are real conversations going on. All you need to do is put in the right keyword.

How to react?

Well, that, too, depends on the context of the abbreviation being used. Relevant and appropriate reactions to texts are a must-have these days. You are expected to know the text lingo, and failing to do so can make people judge you.

However, there is no need to pay heed to the judgemental eye. Instead, take your time to learn the language (or not) and apply it accordingly in your future texts. Most humans learn by the trial-and-error method. Make mistakes to learn better. That is what makes you a cool human being.

Read on.

#1 Ask them not to use such lingo if you are not comfortable

Not everyone is supposed to be comfortable with texting lingo. It is okay not to be. Just as a person has the right to use all sorts of abbreviations and emojis in their texts, you have the right to be as elaborate with your sentences as you want. You have the right to be ignorant about what they use as acronyms for common words these days.

You be you!

If cx bothers you that much, politely yet firmly ask the person (who uses it in their texts) not to use it while conversing with you. Tell them you are not comfortable not knowing what they are talking about. Ask them not to use questionable lingo in their texts.

Above all, ditch the ever-changing world of texting lingo and try to be yourself. That is what suits you the best.

#2 Learn more about it and react accordingly

Okay, so if you are not so chill, to miss out on a few abbreviations, you will have to learn them by heart. You will have to use them wisely and react to them accordingly.

Try to follow the ways I have discussed in the preceding section, and you will learn a lot more than cx within a few days. However, with this particular acronym, it is a real task to understand the context, as cx can have multiple meanings.

Learning more about it will save you from potential embarrassment (mostly in professional situations). It will make you look cooler (if it means anything to you) in front of people who often use cx in their texts.

Tips and life hacks

A few points to be noted:

• Cx is sometimes used as an abbreviation for the word “complex.” This usage is mostly restricted to scientific and medical fields.

• In some texts, cx is also used to denote coitus or the act of making love, commonly known as s*x. This is not a commonly used version. There are better ways to express the same.

• Search for cx in group chats to know more about the acronym. Group chats have a chance to present multiple perspectives of the letters you are so confused about.

• Be clear with your own thoughts and tell the person who used “cx” while texting you that you do not know what it means. It is okay to not know something.

• We have busy lives where memorizing every single textual acronym is a harrowing task. Therefore, let yourself miss out on a few such things so that your precious mind does not get too cramped with information that may lose value after a few months.