x / xx (at the end of a message)
What it really means
The letter "x" at the end of a text means a kiss, but between friends it is just friendliness, like a smiley — not romance. More x's = warmer tone. British people (often women) use it with friends and family; leaving it out with a close friend can even seem cold. Do not use it in professional emails.
Context, tips & common mistakes
The 'x' at the end of a message is a written kiss, and it runs on unspoken rules. Friends exchange them routinely (one x casual, xx warmer, xxx intimate or theatrical); dropping the x someone normally sends you reads as coldness or a hint that something is wrong; and adding one to a professional email is a small but memorable misstep — colleagues who are also friends may use them, but never upwards to a boss or a client until they do first.
Men use them less on average, though this varies wildly by region, age and friendship group. The safe algorithm: mirror what the other person sends. If they sign 'see you tomorrow x', you may return the x; if they never send one, do not open the bidding.