"NGL" stands for "not gonna lie." It is commonly used in text messages, social media, and online chats to introduce an honest statement, often admitting something embarrassing, expressing criticism, or softening a complaint to make it less harsh. People use "ngl" to indicate sincerity or to share their true feelings or opinions, sometimes with a humorous or semi-serious tone. It is typically informal and popular among younger generations, especially on platforms like TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram

. Examples of usage include:

• "Ngl, I kind of have a crush on him."
• "Ngl, that haircut does not suit you."
• "Ngl, I wasn’t a fan of the movie."
• "Ngl, I’ve been procrastinating all day."

While "NGL" can also stand for "natural gas liquids" in other contexts, in texting and internet slang it almost always means "not gonna lie"

. In summary, "ngl" is an abbreviation to preface an honest or candid statement in informal digital communication