What does SMH mean on TikTok?

Georgina Smith
TikTok logo on phone

While browsing your For You Page on TikTok, you may have come across the popular term ‘SMH’ — but what does the acronym stand for, and when do you use it?

Since the launch of TikTok in 2016, there have been a huge number of different viral trends and challenges to blow up on the short-form video app.

This is coupled with a series of different slang terms that have emerged on the platform, whether they are existing words that have transferred over from other social media sites like Twitter, or whether they have been created by the TikTok community specifically.

‘SMH’ is a word that has been around on the internet for a while, and has been used across most social media apps, so it’s no surprise that the acronym made its way onto TikTok as well.

If you’ve ever seen someone use this term in a video, caption, or comment on the short-form app, here’s everything you need to know about what it means.

TikTok logo and other apps on a phone
TikTok is a hub of the internet’s most viral content.

What does SMH mean on TikTok?

In most cases, SMH stands for ‘shaking my head’ or ‘shake my head.’ The term is primarily used to indicate disappointment and is usually used in response to someone, whether that be a specific comment, or to a referenced scenario.

Although that is the most common meaning of SMH, there are other things it could also stand for. Examples include ‘so much hate,’ ‘smack my head,’ or ‘somehow.’

The meaning of the term will ultimately differ depending on the context of the conversation, but it is a frequently used word on TikTok and beyond.

If you’re struggling to understand some of the most used words on TikTok, such as ‘mid,’ or ‘BFFR,’ then you can check out our slang guide here.

About The Author

Georgina was formerly an entertainment writer for Dexerto. She covered all aspects of influencer culture on TikTok and more, including creators such as Charli D’Amelio and Addison Rae. She also wrote about hit reality shows such as Love Island and Below Deck.