YOLO
YOLO (verb) means used informally to justify a bold, reckless, or spontaneous decision, from the phrase "you only live once.". Example: “I'm quitting my job to travel," she said. "YOLO.”
How to use YOLO
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA slang shorthand for "you only live once," used to justify taking a risk or doing something impulsive.
Very informal and now somewhat dated slang, often used self-mockingly.
Word forms
YOLOed past tense, YOLOs singular
Fill the gap
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"I'm quitting my job to travel," she said. "_____."
Etymology
An acronym for "you only live once," a phrase dating back to the 19th century; the acronym itself was popularized around 2011 by the rapper Drake and entered the Oxford English Dictionary in 2016.
Rhymes for YOLO
See all rhymes for YOLO →Frequently asked questions
What does “YOLO” mean?
The word “YOLO” means used informally to justify a bold, reckless, or spontaneous decision, from the phrase "you only live once.". In plain terms, a slang shorthand for "you only live once," used to justify taking a risk or doing something impulsive.
How do you pronounce “YOLO”?
“YOLO” is pronounced YOH-loh (/ˈjoʊloʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “YOLO” in a sentence?
Here is “YOLO” used in a sentence: “"I'm quitting my job to travel," she said. "YOLO.".”
What part of speech is “YOLO”?
“YOLO” is a verb.
Where does the word “YOLO” come from?
The word “YOLO” dates back to around 2011. An acronym for "you only live once," a phrase dating back to the 19th century; the acronym itself was popularized around 2011 by the rapper Drake and entered the Oxford English Dictionary in 2016.
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