Do you know the definition of DL? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the abbreviation DL, including its definition, usage, origin, synonyms and more!
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According to Urban Dictionary, the abbreviation DL stands for down low. This is a shorthand term used in text messaging when something is to be kept a secret. The meaning of the DL is to keep a secret – if someone told you something and told you to keep it on the DL, this means not to tell anyone.
According to The Free Dictionary, the abbreviation DL also has a plethora of different related abbreviations aside from down low. While these are all still valid definitions, they are far less common and should be used sparingly to eliminate any confusion. If you do plan to use one of these different definitions for the acronym DL, ensure that you are providing the reader or listener with the proper context to be able to decipher your intended meaning. This should be standard practice with any acronym that can have more than one definition. Use the full form or full meaning of DL if you are unsure. Meanings of the slang term vary.
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Demarcation Line
Delta Airlines
Disabled List (sports)
Depot Level
Light Destroyer
District Leader (LDS church)
Detachment Leader
Designated Laboratory
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Diabolik Lovers (gaming)
Defect Level
Decilitre
Diagonal Loading (beamforming)
Danger List
Distinguished Lecturer (various organizations)
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Division Leader
Destroyer Leader (variant of the destroyer type of warship)
There are many different slang terms that can be used in text messaging or on the internet. While these may seem difficult to learn at first, with this list from Zip Whip, you will be texting like a pro in no time!
FOMO: Fear of missing out
SO: Significant other
RN: Right now
AMAA: Ask me almost anything
ROFL: Rolling on floor laughing
JIC: Just in case
THX: Thanks
HTH: Hope this helps
Bae: Before anyone else
OMW: On my way
EOD: End of day
NGL: Not gonna lie
TBF: To be frank
OOTD: Outfit of the day
FYI: For your information
TIL: Today I learned
YP: Yes please
FWIW: For what it’s worth
TTYL: Talk to you later
NBD: No big deal
IKR: I know, right
JSYK: Just so you know
TBA: To be announced
QOTD: Quote of the day
BDAY: Birthday
IRL: In real life
TY: Thank you
WYWH: Wish you were here
OOO: Out of office
TGIF: Thank goodness/god it’s Friday
NP: No problem
KMN: Kill me know
OFC: Of course
DIY: Do it yourself
IYKYK: If you know you know
B4N: Bye for now
IFYP: I feel your pain
ISTG: I swear to god
V: Very
NTH: Nice to have
Finna: going to, intending to
YOLO: You only live once
SRSLY: Seriously
HMU: Hit me up
DIKY: Do I know you?
G2G: Got to go
MRW: My reaction when
ASAP: As soon as possible
ILY: I love you
TMI: Too much information
JK: Just kidding
TFW: That feeling when
BBL: Be back later
W/O: Without
Tea: Gossip, drama
IIRC: If I recall correctly
TBC: To be continued
AFAIK: As far as I know
SFLR: Sorry for late reply
OTOH: On the other hand
TYT: Take your time
FTFY: Fixed that for you
TBD: To be determined or to be decided
TTP: To the point
BRB: Be right back
DAE: Does any else
WFH: Work from home
SNMP: So not my problem
DM: Direct message
YGTI: You get the idea
WDYM: What do you mean?
QAP: Quick as possible
LMK: Let me know
IG: Instagram
CYT: See you tomorrow
PPL: People
POV: Point of view
Sus: Suspicious
MSG: Message
GR8: Great
BC or B/C: Because
HBU: How about you?
MFW: My face when
OML: Oh my lord
TBH: To be honest
Bestie: a best friend or term of endearment
AMA: Ask me anything
TIA: Thanks in advance
BTW: By the way
F2F: Face to face
COB: Close of business
PNL: Peace & love
NVM: Never mind
AKA: Also known as
FTW: For the win
IDC: I don’t care
BFF: Best friends forever
Yeet: To throw something or used as an exclamation
IDK: I don’t know
IMO: In my opinion
ICYMI: In case you missed it
SMH: Shaking my head
HIFW: How I feel when
TL;DR: Too long, don’t/didn’t read
OMG: Oh my god/gosh
YMMV: Your mileage may vary
LOL: Laughing out loud
ATM: At the moment
IMHO: In my humble/honest opinion
Overall, the abbreviation DL means down low. This means secret.
Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.