What Does "BBL" Mean? Definition & Uses on Social Media and More

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Learn what this trending acronym means, according to Gen Z

Co-authored by Bailey Cho Reviewed by Anyah Le Gilmore-Jones

Last Updated: December 20, 2023 Fact Checked

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BBL on TikTok

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Alternative Meaning

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Less Common Meanings

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Discussion on Social Media

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You may have seen the term “BBL” on social media and over text, but what exactly does it mean? On TikTok, “BBL” refers to a Brazilian butt lift—a popular cosmetic procedure that moves fat from one area of the body to the butt. “BBL” also stands for “Be back later,” and is often used as a way to briefly pause the conversation, especially over text. In this article, we’ll unpack everything you need to know about this versatile acronym, including other possible meanings of “BBL.”

Things You Should Know

On TikTok, the acronym “BBL” refers to a Brazilian butt lift, which is a cosmetic procedure that augments the size and shape of the butt.
The acronym “BBL” also stands for “Be back later.” It’s most often used when you need to leave a text conversation but plan to return soon.
Alternatively, the acronym “BBL” may refer to a barrel of crude oil or a sexualized slang term for curvy Latina women.

Section 1 of 4:

What does “BBL” mean on TikTok?

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The TikTok acronym “BBL” stands for “Brazilian Butt Lift.” A Brazilian butt lift is a cosmetic surgery procedure where a surgeon removes excess fat from the hips, abdomen, lower back, or thighs with liposuction, then injects the fat into the butt—making it look larger.^{[1]
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Research source} On TikTok, many users post “BBL transformation” videos to show off their results, while others use the term to discuss celebrities who may have gotten work done.
- “Do you think J-Lo had a BBL?”
- “I can’t believe she went to Miami to get a BBL.”
- “Did you see the results of her BBL? Her body is insane!”
- “Peep Laura’s 🍑 I think she might have gotten a BBL👀”

Section 2 of 4:

What else does “BBL” mean?

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The acronym “BBL” also stands for “Be back later.” People use the acronym “BBL” when they have to leave a text conversation but plan to return soon. They’re likely running an errand or helping someone out, so they won’t be able to respond to any messages for the time being.^{[2]
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- “The plumber’s here to fix my sink. BBL.”
- “BBL, gotta pick up my sister from school🏫”
- “Heading out to eat dinner with my fam. BBL.”
- “At the post office to drop off a package📦 BBL✌️”

Section 3 of 4:

Less Common Meanings of “BBL”

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A barrel of crude oil In the oil industry, the acronym “bbl” is a unit of volume for crude oil and petroleum products. One barrel is equal to 42 gallons (160 L) at atmospheric pressure, and the acronym is often used by the oil and gas sector to report their production levels.^{[3]
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- “Oil fell to $80/bbl in New York last Friday.”
- “The oil well in Texas produced 110 bbls last month.”
- “Oil could hit $110/bbl based on OPEC’s decision to maintain supply cuts.”
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"Big Booty Latina" Some guys consider “BBL” to mean the sexual expression “Big Booty Latina.”^{[4]
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Research source} Because it’s a common stereotype that Latina women have curvy, hourglass figures, the acronym is a way to refer to (and objectify) the type of women they want to hook-up with.
- “Bro, do you know any BBLs?”
- “Check out that BBL by the bar.”
- “GYATT! That BBL on Kai’s livestream is an 11/10.”

Section 4 of 4:

Discussion About the BBL on Social Media

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Many users choose to document their “BBL transformations” on TikTok. Since cosmetic procedures are becoming more normalized on social media, many people feel comfortable sharing videos of their bodies before and after surgery.^{[5]
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Research source} The Brazilian butt lift is particularly popular because it has instant (and often dramatic) results. Most people with BBLs transfer fat from their waist and thighs to their butt, getting an hourglass shape.
- People who are interested in getting a BBL often comment on these transformation videos to get more information. They usually ask the creator about the cost, their “stats” (weight and height before surgery), and where they got their procedure done (country, clinic, and doctor).
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Other users discuss celebrities who may have gotten BBLs. There are countless TikTok and Instagram accounts that analyze celebrities and point out changes in their appearance over the years. These accounts post images of celebs before and after their alleged surgeries, along with time stamps and close-up shots of possible surgical scars.^{[6]
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- According to some content creators, the goal of their videos is to destigmatize plastic surgery and educate users about common procedures.
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Some users joke that those with BBLs adopt entirely new personalities. Known as “The BBL Effect” on TikTok, this viral trend of parody videos claims that when someone gets a Brazilian butt lift, they transform into the definition of “bad and boujee.” In other words, they always look their best, believe they’re better than everyone else, and seem to be mildly unimpressed no matter how much money is spent.^{[7]
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- In April 2021, TikTok user @antonibumba posted a parody video of how someone with a BBL might eat takeout food. The video quickly went viral, and many users began creating videos reenacting the mannerisms of those who get BBLs.

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Warnings

A Brazilian butt lift is considered a major surgical procedure with risks that may lead to injury, fat embolisms, and possibly death. If you decide to get the procedure, ask your surgeon about their training and experience, techniques, and the latest safety guidelines.^{[8]
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