Urbandictionary is full of definitions for this word that say it means "away from keyboard" (in gaming), i.e. the player is inactive, doesn't respond to greetings, such and such. Most of the time, this is what it means.
I would like to give a specific example to further flesh out its meaning: in RuneScape, there is such a thing as "afk training". Literally it's a playing style where you are not literally away from the keyboard or even inactive, you're just doing something on a split screen or paying little attention to what's going on in the game itself as you train your skills, because they are designed to be done "afk", or more accurately, "semi-afk". We just call it afk in this game no matter what.
I would like to give a specific example to further flesh out its meaning: in RuneScape, there is such a thing as "afk training". Literally it's a playing style where you are not literally away from the keyboard or even inactive, you're just doing something on a split screen or paying little attention to what's going on in the game itself as you train your skills, because they are designed to be done "afk", or more accurately, "semi-afk". We just call it afk in this game no matter what.
player1234 is afk... he hasn't been responding to my messages for at least 15 minutes (general example)
rang3r4lyfe is training his firemaking in the most afk way possible, burning protean logs (RuneScape-specific example)
rang3r4lyfe is training his firemaking in the most afk way possible, burning protean logs (RuneScape-specific example)
by drockalgzemoser August 16, 2020
Get the afk mug.by NotSepu September 12, 2020
Get the AFKness mug.a person that you have as a friend in your msn/gmail chat list, whose status is always set to online, but they themselves are most often afk (away from keyboard)
gmail chat conversation:
person a) where's michael?
person b) i noticed michael's status is always set to online, but when i try chatting him, he is always afk... i will conclude he an afk nikki
person a) where's michael?
person b) i noticed michael's status is always set to online, but when i try chatting him, he is always afk... i will conclude he an afk nikki
by Sexydimma January 11, 2012
Get the afk nikki mug."AFK" stands for "Away From Keyboard". It is commonly used in online multiplayer games and chat platforms to let others know that the person is not currently at their computer or device and will not be able to respond to messages or participate in the game. It is used as a way to let others know that the person will be temporarily unavailable, and it's a way to inform others that the person is not purposely ignoring them.
Joe: Hey Bob, where did you go? I need your help with this dungeon boss.
Bob: Oh sorry, I had to step away for a moment. I'll be AFK for a few minutes.
Joe: OK, no problem. Let me know when you're back.
Bob: Will do.
Bob: Oh sorry, I had to step away for a moment. I'll be AFK for a few minutes.
Joe: OK, no problem. Let me know when you're back.
Bob: Will do.
by dwdwefewf January 21, 2023
Get the AFK mug.AFK, also known as Away From Keyboard, is a term used by many gamers and computer enthusiast as a way of saying "The person is not able to respond, usually due to physically being away from their keyboard."
ME: "Hey Cross, are you ready to start?"
YOU: "Cross is AFK, want to wait or just start without him?"
YOU: "Cross is AFK, want to wait or just start without him?"
by CrossNotMinded December 18, 2023
Get the AFK mug.