What Does PS Mean? Postscript Meaning in Texts and Emails

PS is one of the oldest abbreviations still in daily use. People wrote it at the bottom of handwritten letters for centuries, and it's survived the move to email, texting and social captions. Here's what it means, where it comes from and how to use it well.

The meaning of PS

Merriam-Webster's definition is simple: a postscript is a note or series of notes appended to a completed letter, article or book. Its kids' definition says it even more plainly: a note added at the end of a letter, article or book. Its example sentence is a good model: 'In a postscript to her letter, she promised to write again soon.'

Wiktionary describes PS as the initialism of post scriptum or postscript, written at the end of a text as a footnote. That's the key idea. A PS is the bit you add after you've already finished.

Where postscript comes from

Merriam-Webster traces postscript to the New Latin postscriptum, from the Latin postscribere, meaning to write after, built from post- and scribere, to write. Its first known use in English was in 1551.

The history explains why the PS sits after your signature in a traditional letter. Before word processors, if you thought of something after signing, you couldn't slot it in earlier. You wrote it underneath and labelled it as an afterthought.

PS, P.S. or ps: which is right?

All three are used. P.S. with full stops is the traditional form you'll see in formal letters. PS without full stops is common in emails. Lower-case ps is fine in a casual text. Pick one style and keep it the same throughout a message.

How to use PS in a text or email

• Add a friendly extra: 'PS, give the dog a hug from me.'
• Remind someone: 'PS, don't forget the tickets.'
• Share a small update: 'PS, I got the job!'
• Soften the ending: 'PS, no rush on any of this.'

In a text, a PS often works as a gentle way of raising something you nearly forgot. In an email, in my experience, it's often one of the lines people read, because eyes tend to jump to the end. That's why so many good marketing emails use one.

Why marketers love a PS

I've written a lot of emails over the years, and a short PS is one of my favourite tools. It's where you can restate the one thing you want the reader to do, add a personal line or share a deadline without cluttering the main message.

If you're writing outreach, keep it to one sentence and make it useful, not salesy. My guide to cold emails that get replies covers how to end a message so people want to answer, and how to write a professional email walks through the rest of the structure.

How to write a good PS

A strong PS is short, specific and adds something the main message didn't. Here's what I keep in mind.

1. Keep it to one or two sentences. A PS that runs to a paragraph is really part of the email.
2. Make it personal where you can. A line about their recent post or their weekend feels human.
3. Repeat the single most useful action, such as the date of a call or the link they need, in plain words.
4. Don't use it to hide bad news. Anything important belongs in the body, where nobody can miss it.

The same rules work for a newsletter, a thank-you note or a wedding invitation. If the afterthought is the most interesting part of your message, that's a sign it belongs higher up.

PS in texts and social posts

In texting, PS has become a light, slightly playful way of adding one more thing. You might see 'ps I miss you' at the end of a chat, or a caption that ends with 'PS: the cake was even better than it looks'. It signals a change of tone, from the main point to a little extra. Used like that, it's warm rather than formal, and it works because almost everyone recognises it instantly.

Should you add a PS to a cover letter or work email?

You can, but use it carefully. In a cover letter, a PS can draw attention to one standout fact, such as a recent award or a portfolio piece that's relevant to the role. In a work email, it can carry a friendly line after a business-like message, like 'PS, congratulations on the launch'. What I'd avoid is putting a deadline, a request for a decision or anything a reader must act on in a PS. Busy people sometimes stop reading at the sign-off, and you don't want the important part to be the bit they miss.

Other meanings of PS

Outside letters, PS has a lot of other jobs. Wiktionary lists many of them, and context usually makes it obvious.

Context	What PS means
Gaming	PlayStation, as in PS5
Design software	Photoshop
Printing and computing	PostScript, a page description language
Schools	Public school
Police in Commonwealth countries	Police sergeant
Electronics	Power supply
Boats	Paddle steamer
Mail	Postal service
Chemistry	Polystyrene

If a gamer says 'got a new PS', they mean a console, not an extra note. If an email says 'PS', it's an afterthought.

Message shorthand is worth knowing, so see what DM stands for on Instagram for the Instagram one.

PS compared with other end-of-message abbreviations

PS adds something after you've finished. BTW, by the way, drops something in the middle of a conversation. And PPS is simply a second postscript, added after the first, when you've thought of one more thing. Use those sparingly. One afterthought feels human, three can feel disorganised.

Frequently asked questions

What does PS stand for?

PS stands for postscript, from the Latin post scriptum, meaning 'written after'.

Where does PS go in an email?

After your sign-off and name, as a short extra line at the end.

Is it P.S. or PS?

Both are correct. P.S. is the traditional form; PS is common in emails.

When was postscript first used?

Merriam-Webster dates the first known use of postscript to 1551.

What does PS mean in gaming?

PlayStation, as in PS5, according to Wiktionary's list of meanings.

What is a PPS?

A second postscript added after the first PS, for one more afterthought.