abbreviation

WWJD

DUB-uhl-yoo DUB-uhl-yoo jay DEE

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WWJD (abbreviation) means What Would Jesus Do: a question Christians ask themselves as a guide to behaviour, prompting them to choose the response they believe Jesus would have chosen. Example: “She wore a WWJD bracelet all through secondary school.”

abbreviation

religious What Would Jesus Do: a question Christians ask themselves as a guide to behaviour, prompting them to choose the response they believe Jesus would have chosen.

"She wore a WWJD bracelet all through secondary school."

"When the argument got heated, someone muttered WWJD and everyone backed off."

humorous The same phrase used ironically or jokingly, often about a situation with no moral weight at all.

"Three slices of cake left and four of us. WWJD?"

How to use WWJD

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishShort for "What would Jesus do?" — a reminder to act well.

When to use it

Sincere in Christian contexts, especially youth ministry; frequently used ironically outside them.

Memory tip

It is written in capitals and often followed by a question mark, since it stands for a question.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

WWJD vs WWJD? as a slogan

Common pairings

WWJD bracelet WWJD wristband

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She wore a _____ bracelet all through secondary school.

Etymology

An initialism of the question "What would Jesus do?", popularised by evangelical youth culture through bracelets and other merchandise.

Origin: English

Frequently asked questions

What does WWJD stand for?

It stands for "What would Jesus do?" It is used as a short prompt to consider how Jesus would have acted in a situation, and appears most often on bracelets, wristbands and other Christian merchandise.

Where does the WWJD phrase come from?

The question is closely associated with the novel In His Steps by Charles Sheldon, published in 1896, in which a congregation pledges to ask it before every decision. The four-letter initialism itself became widespread much later, through 1990s evangelical youth merchandise.

Do people use WWJD seriously?

Both. Within churches and Christian youth groups it is a sincere devotional prompt. Outside them it is very often used ironically, applied to trivial dilemmas for comic effect.

What is the meaning of WWJD?

"WWJD" (abbreviation) means what Would Jesus Do: a question Christians ask themselves as a guide to behaviour, prompting them to choose the response they believe Jesus would have chosen.