Sth

sth is an abbreviation used in English to stand for "something." It is most common in informal writing, such as personal notes, chat messages, and online forums, where speakers wish to save time or space. In reference works, "sth" is recognized as a shorthand form of the word and is sometimes included in lists of abbreviations.

Form and punctuation: The letters are usually written in lowercase. Some style guides place a period after the abbreviation ("sth."); others prefer no trailing punctuation. The choice often depends on the surrounding text and house style. In many contexts, the meaning remains clear from context, but it is inherently informal and ambiguous if used without context.

Usage: "sth" is used as a stand-in for an unspecified object, idea, or thing. For example, "I need to grab sth on the way home" implies "something." It can also appear in annotated notes as a placeholder for a noun that is not yet specified.

Limitations: As a casual shorthand, it is not appropriate for formal writing, professional communication, or academic publications. It can confuse non-native speakers or readers unfamiliar with the abbreviation, and it sometimes overlaps with other uses of "STH" as an acronym in different domains.

See also: Texting language, shorthand, abbreviation, placeholder.