What is a One True Pairing? Plus, Other Meanings of OTP

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Learn how to use all the different meanings of the OTP acronym

Co-authored by Imad Jbara and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: April 12, 2024 Fact Checked

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Snapchat Meaning

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Texting Meaning

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How to Use OTP

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Replying to OTP

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Alternate Meanings

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Q&A

Maybe you found a social media post where someone was raving about their "OTP," or the phrase "OTP" showed up in a text on your phone. You're totally lost—what exactly is this acronym supposed to mean? Don't worry! This wikiHow is on the case. We’re taking a closer look at all the different meanings of OTP in all types of online scenarios, as well as different ways you can use and reply to OTP in your own chats. In just a few minutes, you'll be prepared for just about any digital OTP situation.

What does OTP mean in texting?

In fandom, OTP stands for “One True Pairing,” which is your favorite fictional couple. In texting, however, OTP might also stand for “On the phone,” “One time password,” or occasionally “One trick pony.” In general, though, you’ll usually use the phrase to gush about your favorite characters and their relationship.

Section 1 of 5:

What does OTP mean on Snapchat?

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OTP typically stands for “One True Pairing.” The term OTP is a big part of shipping culture, where fans of a franchise/fandom (usually fictional) romantically pair or “ship” different characters together. The term OTP refers to a person’s ultimate favorite ship in the entire series or franchise.^{[1]
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Research source} Some historically popular OTPs include:
- Enjolras and Grantaire (from the book, musical, and movie Les Miserables)
- Poe Dameron and Finn (from the most recent Star Wars trilogy)
- Rose Lalonde and Kanaya Maryam (from the webcomic Homestuck)
- Jean Kirschstein and Marco Bodt (from the anime Attack on Titan)
- Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes (from the Marvel Cinematic Universe)
- Hinata Shouyou and Kageyama Tobio (from the anime Haikyuu!!)^{[2]
  X
  Research source}

Section 2 of 5:

What does OTP mean in texting?

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OTP can stand for “On The Phone.” Depending on the conversation, a quick “OTP” message could be someone’s way of sharing that they’re on the phone and unavailable to talk.^{[3]
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Research source}
- You: “Hey, do you wanna FaceTime?”
  Them: “Can’t, I’m OTP”
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OTP sometimes means “One Time Password.” Nowadays, many companies use “one time passwords” as a way to boost security for their users. These 6-digit numbers are sent by an automated system as a part of 2-factor authentication, which prevents hackers and criminals from hijacking a user’s account and stealing their info.^{[4]
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Research source}
- You might get a text like “Your OTP is: 123456. It expires in 10 minutes. Don’t share this code with anyone.”
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OTP can also mean “One True Pairing” in texting. Context is really important when it comes to messages with “OTP” in them. Chances are, if your friend is texting you about their favorite fictional ship, they’re probably using OTP to mean “One True Pairing.”
- “OMG I love Clarke and Lexa so much 😭😭😭 They’re my OTP!”
- “Do you play Mass Effect at all? I just started and Shepherd/Alenko is totally my OTP lol”

Section 3 of 5:

How to Use OTP

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Gush about your favorite ship in a fandom. Just finished binging a show or reading a great fanfiction? Let your friends know all about it over Snapchat, text, or wherever you message each other the most.^{[5]
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Research source}
- You: “Stayed up til 4 AM reading a Naruto/Sasuke fic LMAO”
  Friend: “Please tell me you're joking”
  You: “I can’t help it! They’re my OTP 🥺”
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Let someone know you aren’t available to talk at the moment. Did your friend catch you at a bad time? Drop a quick “OTP” to let them know that you’re on the phone with someone else. You can always catch up with them later!
- Them: “OMG you won’t believe what just happened lmao”
  You: Gimme one sec, I’m OTP”

Section 4 of 5:

How to Reply to OTP

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Share your thoughts on someone’s OTP. OTPs are a pretty hot topic in fandom circles, and there’s no reason you can’t weigh in on the topic yourself! Let your friend know your thoughts on their OTP, and share your own OTP if it’s different from theirs. Just remember to keep it friendly!
- Them: “Fenris/Hawke is honestly the best ship in the entire Dragon Age franchise. True OTP material right there”
  You: “That’s so valid! I’m honestly more of an Inquisitor/Cullen shipper myself, though 😂”
- Them: “Just started Merlin and I can already tell that Merlin/Arthur is gonna be my OTP lol”
  You: “Same!!! Just wait until you get to season 2 😭🥺”
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You don’t have to reply to “OTP” messages in some circumstances. If someone uses “OTP” to share that they’re on the phone, you don’t really have to reply right away—just wait to send them a message later. Texts that include a “One Time Password” are always automated, so you don’t have to reply to them, either.
- If you want, you can shoot a quick “Okay!” or “Sounds good” message in response to an “On The Phone” message.

Section 5 of 5:

Alternate Meanings

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OTP can occasionally stand for “One Trick Pony.” A “One Trick Pony” is a fancy way of saying that someone specializes in one skill or talent and isn’t very well-rounded. OTP doesn’t usually refer to this in casual conversations, but it really depends on the context.
- You: “He’s my favorite player on their football team!”
  Them: “Eh. He’s all right, but he’s kind of a OTP”
- You: “Did you catch The Voice last night? John was awesome!”
  Them: “He’s definitely talented, but his music selection makes him seem like a OTP”

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Question

Where did the term OTP come from?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

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The phrase "one true pairing" is believed to have originated from a LiveJournal post from 2002. Other usages of OTP have a variety of origins.

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What does OTP mean in a text?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

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While it might mean "on the phone," you'll mostly see it as shorthand for "one-time password." One-time passwords are short codes that are texted to you by websites or businesses as a form of two-factor authentication.

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What does it mean to delete OTPs from messages?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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This refers to an auto-deletion of one-time passwords (or OTPs) from your messages. Some phones will automatically delete messages with one-time passwords after you view them so they don't clog up your messages inbox.

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