Email Sign-offs and What They *Really* Mean (Best, Regards, Cheers?)

The body of a corporate email might contain vital information, urgent requests, or mind-numbing updates, but the true battlefield of subtext lies in those final few words before the sender's name. The email sign-off. Is it a simple pleasantry, a carefully chosen power move, or a cry for help? Let's dissect the most common corporate closings and reveal their hidden meanings.

Best,

What it looks like: The vanilla ice cream of email sign-offs. Safe, inoffensive, universally acceptable.
What it really means: "I have put absolutely zero thought into this sign-off." It's the default setting, the path of least resistance. It conveys competence without warmth, efficiency without personality. It's fine. Just... fine.

Regards,

What it looks like: Slightly more formal than "Best," perhaps a touch old-fashioned.
What it really means: Often used when emailing someone you don't know well, or someone higher up the food chain. It implies a level of professional distance. If used in response to a friendly email, it can mean "Let's keep this strictly professional, pal." Variations like "Kind regards" soften it slightly, while "Warm regards" is often reserved for people trying too hard.

Sincerely,

What it looks like: The classic formal closing, learned in elementary school letter-writing classes.
What it really means: In a corporate context? Almost nothing. It's so formal it feels insincere. Often used in official company communications, cover letters, or by people who haven't updated their email habits since 1998. If a colleague suddenly starts using "Sincerely," check if they're applying for other jobs.

Cheers,

What it looks like: Casual, friendly, possibly British or Australian (or pretending to be).
What it really means: "I'm trying to be approachable and laid-back, maybe even cool." Can sometimes feel forced if the sender is clearly not the "cheers" type. Often used by marketing folks or people who wear sneakers with suits. Use with caution outside of specific company cultures.

Thanks, / Thx,

What it looks like: Appreciative, direct.
What it really means: Can be genuine gratitude, but often used preemptively when asking someone to do something ("Thanks in advance!"). The abbreviated "Thx" implies either extreme busyness or a casual disregard for vowels and social niceties. Often paired with a request disguised as a statement.

-[Initial(s)] / -[First Name]

What it looks like: Minimalist, efficient, possibly abrupt.
What it really means: "I am very busy and important, and cannot spare the extra keystrokes for a proper sign-off." Often used by senior management or people pretending to be senior management. Can also indicate mild annoyance, especially if previous emails had fuller sign-offs.

No Sign-off (Just the automated signature)

What it looks like: Cold, impersonal, robotic.
What it really means: Could mean anything from "I forgot" to "I actively dislike you and refuse to offer even the barest pleasantry." Often seen in curt, one-line replies. If it follows a lengthy, detailed email, it might just mean the sender assumes the corporate signature block suffices. Or they hit send accidentally.

Sent from my iPhone (or other mobile device disclaimer)

What it looks like: An excuse for brevity and typos.
What it really means: "Lower your expectations for this email's coherence and grammar. I might be walking, eating, or pretending to listen in a meeting while typing this." It's a get-out-of-jail-free card for sloppy communication. Bonus points if the email is actually perfectly written, implying they just want you to know they're working on the go.

The Bottom Line

The humble email sign-off is a surprisingly complex social signal in the workplace. While overanalyzing every "Regards," might lead to madness, paying attention to patterns can offer subtle clues about your relationships with colleagues and the underlying tone of communication. When in doubt, stick to "Best," – it's boring, but it's safe. Unless, of course, you're ready to send that final email...