cu

IPA/kˈuː/
IPA/kˈuː/

cu — abbreviation

1. a very informal written short form of 'see you', used in a casual text message o

1.abbreviationA1
Definition

a very informal written short form of 'see you', used in a casual text message or email to say goodbye when you expect to meet or speak again soon.

Example

I'll send the tickets tonight. Cu at the station tomorrow.

cu + place/time in a casual message

At the end of her text, Ayesha typed cu and a smiley face.

end a text with cu

Common collocations
  • cu tomorrow
  • cu soon
  • cu later
  • end a text with cu
Synonyms
  • see you

    the full phrase, suitable in both speech and ordinary writing

  • cya

    another very informal texting spelling, more slang-like

  • bye

    a broader farewell that does not specifically suggest meeting again

Grammar Patterns

cu

cu + time/place expression

end a message with cu

Usage Note

Common only in very casual digital writing between friends or family. It is unusual in formal emails, school assignments, or messages to someone you do not know well.

Common Mistakes

Cu, Professor Lin' at the end of a course email
Best regards, [your name]
'cu' is too informal for teachers, managers, or other formal situations.
I wrote cu in the report
I wrote see you in the note.
use the full phrase in normal writing unless you are copying an actual message style.

2. a written short form of 'cubic', mainly used with units of measurement to show v

2.abbreviationB2
Definition

a written short form of 'cubic', mainly used with units of measurement to show volume.

Example

The ad said the freezer offered 12 cu ft of storage space.

cu ft for volume in an ad

On the worksheet, students changed cu cm into millilitres.

cu + unit in school measurement work

Common collocations
  • cu ft
  • cu m
  • cu cm
  • cu yd
Synonyms
  • cubic

    the full word, used when space is not limited

Grammar Patterns

cu + unit

cu ft

cu m

Usage Note

Usually seen in tables, ads, labels, and technical writing, not spoken aloud. It comes before a unit such as ft, m, cm, or yd to show three-dimensional volume.

Common Mistakes

The garden covers 20 cu m of ground.
The garden covers 20 sq m of ground.
'cu' shows volume, while 'sq' shows area.
The box is cu 3 m.
The box holds 3 cu m.
put the number before the abbreviated unit phrase.

cu — symbol

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: abbreviation/1

'Cu' is a highly informal written shortcut that stands for the sound of 'see you' in texts, chat messages, and quick notes. 'See you' is the full form and works naturally in speech or in ordinary writing when you are not trying to sound playful or very brief. 'Cya' is another texting spelling of the same farewell, but it feels more slangy and can look less clear to learners because it does not directly match the normal spelling. 'Bye' is simpler and more general: it means farewell, but it does not especially suggest that you will meet again. If you are writing to a teacher, customer, or someone you do not know well, avoid 'cu' and write the full phrase instead.

see youcyabye ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • cu tomorrow
  • cu soon
  • cu ft
  • cu m
  • Cu wire
  • Cu on the periodic table

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinEnglish

The common written uses of 'cu' come from shortening longer forms in different ways. As a farewell, 'cu' represents the sound of the letters C and U, standing for 'see you' in quick digital messages. In measurements, 'cu' is clipped from 'cubic' before a unit name such as ft or m. The chemistry symbol Cu has a different history: it comes from the Latin word 'cuprum', which gave English the element name 'copper' and the international symbol used on the periodic table.