IDK

What Does IDK Mean in a Text?

The Quick Answer

IDK (I Don't Know) is a very common term used in internet chat forums and text speak.

More Detail...

It is the basic form of numerous associated terms, including the following:

• IDK (I don't know)
• IDKE (I don't know either)
• IDKW (I don't know why)
• IDKWTD (I don't know what to do)
• IDKWYM (I don't know what you mean)
• IDKY (I don't know why)
• SIDK (sorry, I didn't know)
• TMSIDK (tell me something I don't know)

Image for IDK

When I write IDK, I mean this:

"IDK. I just work here."

Summary of Key Points

We have summarized the key points in the table below:

IDK
Definition:	I Don't Know
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	4: Difficult to guess
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Examples of IDK in Sentences

Here are some examples of IDK in sentences:

• Tony: Why did you steal her coat?
• Jordan: IDK. I just had the urge.

• IDK the plan for tomorrow.

An Academic Look at IDK

IDK is an initialism abbreviation. Technically, this means it is pronounced using its individual letters (i.e., Aye Dee Kay). However, as this is harder to say than "I don't know," it is not uttered using its letters. In other words, the abbreviation IDK is for efficiency in writing and not efficiency in speech. The IDK can be used as a standalone sentence or it can take a direct object. For example:

• Tony: How much will the hotel cost?
• Jordan: IDK
(Here, IDK is a standalone declarative sentence. There is no direct object.)


• Tony: Why did you steal her coat?
• Jordan: IDK the reason.
(Here, the reason is the direct object.)

Of note, the letter D stands for "Don't" in lots of cyber definitions. It almost never stands for "Do" unless the term is a question or is accompanied with not. For example:

• DIC (Do I care?)
(In questions, the D often stands for Do.)
• DNFTT (Do not feed the troll)
(When D stand for Do and it is not in a question, it is usually accompanied with not.)

When D does stand for "Do," it is mostly an imperative verb (i.e., a command). For example:

• DSD (Do some damage)
• DWEET (Do it)
• DWISNWID (Do what I say not what I do)

Example of IDK Used in a Text

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