What does "pms" mean?
Initialism of premenstrual syndrome or premenstrual stress.
Pms
adj, name, noun, verb, slang
adj, name, noun, verb, slang ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Initialism of premenstrual syndrome or premenstrual stress.
- Grammar: pms is listed as adj, name, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: pmt, premenstrual syndrome, premenstrual tension.
- Useful contrasts: asymptomatic, eumenorrhea.
- Usage evidence: I'm feeling really grumpy. I guess it's PMS.
How to use "pms"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "pms" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "pms" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "pms" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "pms" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "pms" is acting as adj, name, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "pmt" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "pms", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Initialism of premenstrual syndrome or premenstrual stress. abbreviation, alt-of, initialism, uncountable
"Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) takes a lot of bashing in the media. It is true that many women become more aggressive during this period, though they are rarely out of control...Therefore, any PMS symptoms that are perceived as unstable are due to the fact that women act more like men during this phase than at any other time in their cycles."
- 2 plural of PM form-of, plural
- 3 a syndrome that occurs in many women from 2 to 14 days before the onset of menstruation wordnet
- 4 Initialism of package management system. abbreviation, alt-of, countable, initialism
- 5 Initialism of performance measurement system. abbreviation, alt-of, countable, initialism, uncountable
"The federal Performance Measurement System (PMS) and how It relates to the field of corrections."
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 Initialism of performance management system. abbreviation, alt-of, countable, initialism, uncountable
"PMS: Performance-management system"
- 7 Initialism of performance monitoring system. abbreviation, alt-of, countable, initialism, uncountable
"A performance monitoring system (PMS) exists with formal elements for monitoring poverty reduction in relation to the PARPA."
- 8 Initialism of planned maintenance system. abbreviation, alt-of, countable, initialism, uncountable
"Planned maintenance system for surface missile ships (PMS/SMS) has been instituted to increase system readiness through a major reduction in system downtime."
- 9 Initialism of project management system. abbreviation, alt-of, countable, initialism, uncountable
"A more comprehensive system now being marketed by IBM, PMS (Project Management System), includes resource allocation."
- 10 Initialism of Phelan-McDermid syndrome. abbreviation, alt-of, countable, initialism, uncountable
Verb
- 1 To experience premenstrual syndrome or premenstrual stress. informal, intransitive
"Clarice raised an eyebrow. “I think I'm getting my period, so there's no guarantees it won't happen again.”.[…]“I'm feeling a little PMSed myself. Let's take it out on the cops next time.” “Deal.” Clarice smiled, feeling in control once more."
- 2 third-person singular simple present indicative of PM form-of, indicative, present, singular, third-person
Adjective
- 1 Initialism of pre-main sequence. abbreviation, alt-of, initialism, not-comparable
Proper Noun
- 1 Initialism of Pantone Matching System, a proprietary set of color designations. abbreviation, alt-of, initialism
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"I'm feeling really grumpy. I guess it's PMS."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "pms"?
Common synonyms include: pmt, premenstrual syndrome, premenstrual tension.
How do you use "pms" in a sentence?
I'm feeling really grumpy. I guess it's PMS.