arvo
/ˈɑːvəʊ/
Very CommonAfternoon. Classic Australian shortening used in casual everyday speech.
Feels distinctly Australian. Using it signals familiarity with local culture. Outsiders who pick it up often get a laugh.
Real-world examples4 examples
| # | Example | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | heading to the beach this arvo, anyone keen? | Making plans to go to the beach this afternoon and inviting others. | instagram, 2023 |
| 02 | nah can't do morning, free this arvo tho | Not available in the morning but available in the afternoon. | x, 2024 |
| 03 | Saturday arvo footy is just built different | Saturday afternoon football has a special feel to it. | reddit, 2023 |
| 04 | see you this arvo mate | A casual farewell to someone you will see later today. | x, 2022 |
Use it when
- Talking about afternoon plans or timing.
- Asking what someone is doing later in the day.
- Making plans for the second half of the day.
Do not use it when
- Formal or professional writing.Use “afternoon” instead.
- Non-Australian audiences who may not recognise it.Use “afternoon” instead.
Origin and context
Classic Australian tendency to shorten words and add -o or -ie suffixes. Arvo has been in use since at least the mid-20th century.
- First seen
- mid-1900s
- Confidence
- medium
Cite this page
Use this stable URL to reference the entry.
https://slang.fyi/australian-slang-arvoUpdated: 2026-08-28License: CC BY 4.0