DF

What Does DF Mean in a Text?

The Quick Answer

DF means "Da F*ck," "Direction Finding," and "Disease Free" or "Drug Free."

Da F*ck

The abbreviation DF is widely used online with the meaning "Da F*ck" (i.e., "What The F*ck"), as an expression of surprise or irritation. (See examples below.)

DF and "Da F*ck" are further abbreviations of WTF ("What The F*ck?"). The word "What" is omitted altogether and the word "The" is replaced by the letter "D".

Direction Finding

DF can also stand for "Direction Finding," which is a technique for locating a radio transmitter. It usually involves two or more sensors providing line-bearings towards the transmitter. The intersection of these line-bearings is the transmitter's approximate location.

Disease Free" or "Drug Free

On online dating sites, such as Craigslist, Tinder, Zoosk and Match.com, DF usually means "Disease Free" or "Drug Free."

Image for DF

When I write DF, I mean this:

DF also means "Direction Finding" and "Disease Free" or "Drug Free."

Summary of Key Points

First Definition for DF

DF means "Da F*ck" (i.e., "What The F*ck?"). This is the most common definition for DF in texting and on messaging apps like Instagram and TikTok.

DF
Definition:	Da F*ck
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	4: Difficult to guess
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Second Definition for DF

DF also means "Direction Finding."

DF
Definition:	Direction Finding
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	4: Difficult to guess
Typical Users:	Specialists

Third Definition for DF

On online dating sites, such as Craigslist, Tinder, Zoosk and Match.com, as well as in texts and on adult chat forums, DF also means "Disease Free" or "Drug Free."

DF
Definition:	Disease Free or Drug Free
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	4: Difficult to guess
Typical Users:	Adults

Examples of DF in Sentences

Here are examples of DF in conversations:

• Helen: I'm not going tonight.
• Lucy: DF? I've bought you a ticket.
(Here, DF means "Da F*ck" and expresses surprise and irritation.)

• Craig: DF? My dog just went loopy at something in the kitchen.
• Les: Probably just a burglar.
(Here, DF means "Da F*ck" and expresses surprise.)

• Charlie: DF is going on here? I'm trying to work.
• Lorna: Sorry.
(Here, DF means "Da F*ck" and expresses irritation.)

An Academic Look at WTF

As it is pronounced using its individual letters (i.e., "Dee Eff"), DF is classified as an initialism abbreviation. Initialisms are different to acronyms, which are spoken like words. When used with the meaning "Da F*ck," DF is typically used an interjection. An interjection is included in a sentence to express a sentiment such as surprise or irritation (as well as disgust, joy, excitement, or enthusiasm). DF also often plays the role of an interrogative sentence (i.e., a question). However, even when used as a question, it is commonly seen without a question mark (i.e., it can be written "DRF?" or "DF").

What Did We Say before Texting and Social Media?

Before the digital era, we might have just said "Da F*ck" or "What The F*ck?" instead of using DF.

Example of DF Used in a Text

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