YK

What Does YK Mean in a Text?

The Quick Answer

YK is often used to refer to American rapper, singer and songwriter "YK Osiris." It is also an abbreviation used with the meanings "You're Kidding!" and "You Know?"

YK Osiris

Osiris Jahkail Williams, known professionally as "YK Osiris" (YK stands for "Young King"), is an American rapper, singer and songwriter, from Jacksonville, Florida. In 2019, YK's single "Worth It" reached number 48 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was the lead single from his debut album "The Golden Child," released in the same year.

YK Osiris - Worth It (Official Video)

You're Kidding

YK is also an abbreviation used widely online and in text messaging with the meaning "You're Kidding!" to show strong emotion (e.g., joy, surprise, disbelief, disgust). YK is typically used to respond to a shocking message.

You Know

YK is also used with the meaning "You Know?" (or "You Know"). Just as in speech, YK is often inserted into a conversation as a pause, while thinking of what to say next or to hide embarrassment; at the end of a statement, to make sure the recipient understands; to add emphasis to what has been said or ensure that it has been understood.

Image for YK

When I write YK, I mean this:

YK also means "You're Kidding!" and "You Know?"

Summary of Key Points

We have summarized the key points in the table below:

YK
Definition:	YK Osiris (Singer)
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	3: Guessable
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Second Definition of YK

"You're Kidding!" is another definition for YK.

YK
Definition:	You're Kidding!
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	3: Guessable
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Third Definition of YK

YK also means "You Know?"

YK
Definition:	You Know?
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	3: Guessable
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Examples of YK in Sentences

Here are examples of YK in conversations:

• Paul: Alan has been given the boot.
• Pat: YK?

(Here, YK means "You're Kidding!")

• Kylie: So, then he asked me if I would... YK.
• Helen: Did you?!

(Here, YK means "You Know?")

• Sue: What are you going to wear to the party?
• Rob: The green shirt and the jeans with the ripped knees. The blue ones, YK.
• Sue: YK, right? You mean the ones you're wearing? That you always wear?!

(Here, YK means both "You Know?" and "You're Kidding!")

An Academic Look at YK

When used with the meaning "You're Kidding!" YK is typically used as a declarative sentence (i.e., a statement). When used with the meaning "You Know?" it is typically used as an interrogative sentence (i.e., a question). In both cases, YK is not normally used as another part of speech within a wider sentence. Even though YK is often spoken like a question or an exclamation, when used online it is not usually followed by a question mark or an exclamation mark. As it is pronounced using its individual letters (i.e., "Why Kay"), YK is classified as an initialism abbreviation. Initialisms are different to acronyms, which are spoken like words.

What Did We Say before Texting and Social Media?

Before the digital era, we might have said something like "You're having me on, right?" or "Jeepers!" instead of using YK with the meaning "You're Kidding!"

Example of YK Used in a Text

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