What does ‘nt’ mean in VALORANT?

It's a common courtesy at this point.

VALORANT characters Omen and Phoenix standing back-to-back.
Image via Riot Games

We’ve all seen it pop up in the match chat after a round of VALORANT.

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While “GG” is saved for the end of a match and “gh” is used between halves, you’ll often see the in-game chat fill up with toxicity, anger, jokes, memes, and everything in between. But there will likely be a few mentions of something called “nt” as well.

The gaming lexicon is filled with slang and abbreviations, and sometimes it can be hard to keep up with all of them. Some are born naturally over time and become a part of everyday vocabulary. Others apply to specific situations or games, used only by the most dedicated players.

One of the sayings commonly seen in competitive shooter games like VALORANT is “nt.” But what does it mean?

What does ‘nt’ mean in VALORANT?

In VALORANT, or any multiplayer game, “nt” stands for “nice try.” This will often be posted in the in-game chat by players after someone on their team comes close to clutching up a round but fails in the end.

It’s a common courtesy to post “nt” in the chat, largely as a way to try to maintain positivity throughout a match, even after losing a round. A quick “nt” is way more constructive than scolding a teammate or being toxic.

“NT” can also have negative connotations, though. Sometimes the enemy team will type “nt” sarcastically, making fun of a failed attempt or situation. But most of the time, an “nt” in chat is a friendly message that can help ease the blow of a blown clutch or important play.

The next time your teammate fails to pop off and win the round, hit them with an “nt” instead of a “wow u suck” and see if it helps keep their mentality positive for the rest of the match.

Author
Image of Scott Duwe
Scott Duwe
Senior Staff Writer & Call of Duty lead. Professional writer for over 10 years. Lover of all things Marvel, Destiny 2, Metal Gear, Final Fantasy, Resident Evil, and more. Previous bylines include PC Gamer, Red Bull Esports, Fanbyte, and Esports Nation. DogDad to corgis Yogi and Mickey, sports fan (NY Yankees, NY Jets, NY Rangers, NY Knicks), Paramore fanatic, cardio enthusiast.
Author
Image of Jalen Lopez
Jalen Lopez
Freelance Writer with over three years of experience at Dot Esports. Mainly covers VALORANT, Call of Duty and other FPS titles.