What Does IDK Mean and How Do You Use It?

Popular online abbreviations like IDK prove that language is always changing. Thanks to the extensive use of social media, we have a lot of new words, phrases, and abbreviations, and IDK is only one of them. But what does IDK mean, and how can it be used properly?

By knowing the IDK meaning, you’ll be able to communicate with native English speakers via instant messages or SMS messages without wondering what the other person is trying to tell you. This way, you’ll avoid possible misunderstandings and embarrassing situations.

What does IDK mean in a text?

So, what does IDK mean in text? It means “I don’t know,” or more exactly, it is an abbreviation of the phrase “I don’t know.” Just to remind you, abbreviations are shorter versions of words created to save you time and space in writing.

Americans, especially the younger population, use IDK when texting or online chatting with friends or family members. Even though it was probably created in 2002, IDK became a popular abbreviation in 2007, and then once again during the global pandemic when people used memes to express their confusion about the whole situation.

Today, people all over the world use IDK every day, but mostly the younger generations. Like any other online abbreviation, IDK may also not be familiar to text-, tech-savvy people or old-school English teachers online.

How do you use IDK?

When communicating with your friends or family members, you should use it instead of “I don’t know” on social media, texts, chats, or SMS messages. You can either capitalize it or not; it’s really up to you as the meaning will stay the same.

However, in some situations, using the capitalized version, IDK, may seem like you’re shouting it or just trying to point it out in the sentence. Also, make sure you use this abbreviation only in informal writing.

An example of IDK in a sentence:

IDK what it means.

I’ll go and buy groceries, but IDK if the supermarket is open now.