Definition of «op»

Op is an abbreviation for "original poster," referring to the person who started a thread, post, or discussion in an online forum, social media platform, or comment section. The term is ubiquitous in internet culture, particularly in spaces like Reddit, 4chan, Twitter, and YouTube comments, where threaded conversations are common. It is used to directly address or refer to the creator of the content, often in contexts where other users are responding to, criticizing, or engaging with the original post. While neutral in its basic meaning, the tone of "op" can vary widely depending on the context—it might be used respectfully ("Op made a great point"), sarcastically ("Op is delusional if they think that’s true"), or dismissively ("Op is part of the problem"). The term is also occasionally repurposed humorously or ironically, such as when users pretend to confuse it with "opponent" or "operator."