IDK
IDK (abbreviation) means used in messages and online to say that you do not know something or have not made up your mind. Example: “idk what time it starts, let me check.”
How to Use IDK
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA short way of typing I don't know.
Very informal; standard in texts and chat, out of place in formal email.
IDK often softens a statement rather than answering a question, much like the spoken filler I dunno.
Trace the full origin ↓Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ what time it starts, let me check.
Etymology
An initialism of the phrase I don't know.
Synonyms
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does IDK mean?
It stands for I don't know. It answers a question you cannot answer, and it is also used as a soft hedge before an opinion, as in idk, it just felt off.
What is the difference between IDK and IDC?
IDK means you lack the information; IDC means you have no preference. If someone asks where you want to eat, idk means you cannot decide and idc means anywhere is fine.
Is IDK rude in a work message?
On its own it can look careless. Writing I'm not sure, I'll find out is barely longer and shows you intend to follow up, which matters more than the abbreviation itself.