What does AMA mean?
An online question-and-answer session in which a person invites the public to ask questions.
Also written: Ask Me Anything · ask-me-anything · AMAs · AMA session · AMA thread
The meaning
AMA stands for “Ask Me Anything.” It is an online question-and-answer format where someone opens a post, comment thread, or live chat and invites the audience to submit questions, usually answering them publicly.
What’s the tone?
Usually open, conversational, and informal. It signals willingness to answer questions, but it does not guarantee that every question will receive an answer.
When and how to use it
AMA can name the event—“She hosted an AMA”—or act as an invitation at the end of a post, such as “I repair vintage cameras; AMA.” Despite the wording, hosts may set boundaries or skip questions.
In a conversation
Original examples to illustrate the expression.
I’ve worked as a wildlife photographer for ten years—AMA about fieldwork and camera gear.
The author is doing an AMA this afternoon, so I’m saving my question for the live thread.
Easy to misread
AMA can also mean organizations such as the American Medical Association, so the online meaning depends on context. It differs from a normal interview because questions are invited from the wider audience rather than only from one interviewer.
A little context
The format became strongly associated with large online discussion communities, but the abbreviation is now used more broadly for public Q&A sessions on many platforms. Dictionary, news, and university sources agree that the defining feature is an open invitation for audience questions.
Sources & further reading
These sources support the explanation. The dialogue above is original.
- AMA Definition & MeaningDictionary.com · Checked Oct 23, 2026
Defines the digital sense as ask me anything: an online interview or prompt in which users submit questions through comments or live chat.
- What Does AMA Mean? Ask Me Anything ExplainedBusiness Insider · Checked Oct 23, 2026
Explains AMA as an informal public interview, usually online, where the interviewee opens the floor to audience questions.
- Guide to Reddit AMAsBoston University · Checked Oct 23, 2026
Describes AMAs as question-and-answer sessions connecting a knowledgeable participant with a community and documents their practical format.
Prepared with AI assistance and automated quality checks. Meanings can vary by context. Read our editorial policy.