The Meaning of NBD: What It Is and How To Use It

Do you know the definition of NBD? This article will provide you with all of the knowledge you need on the abbreviation NBD, including its definition, usage, conversation examples, and more!

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What does the abbreviation NBD stand for?

According to Merriam-Webster Unabridged English Language Dictionary and Urban Dictionary, amongst other dictionary apps, the term NBD is a piece of internet slang that stands for “no big deal.” The term NBD is used to say that something is not a significant issue or problem, and that the recipient should not worry or fret about it. This term is considered internet slang and therefore should be reserved for casual or informal settings. You should avoid using slang words and abbreviations in formal and professional settings like business emails and letters.

According to The Free Dictionary, the acronym NBD has numerous other meanings aside from “no big deal.” While these definitions are still considered valid, they are far less common and should therefore be used sparingly. If you do choose to use one of these secondary definitions, ensure that you provide proper context for the person you are sending it to. This way, you avoid confusion. You should make sure to provide proper context for any acronym that you are using that might have multiple meanings. 

  • Network Business & Development (now Nintendo System Development Division)
  • Network Block Device (Linux)
  • New Box Diseño (graphic design company; Mexico)
  • Network Block Device
  • national burden of disease
  • National Business Development
  • New Bass Day
  • Negative Big Difference
  • Nothing But Drama
  • Networks by Design, Inc (New York)
  • Nonbattle Death
  • Netboxdata
  • Never Been Done
  • New Business Development
  • Nucleotide Binding Domain
  • National Brothers Day (May 24)
  • National Broker Dealer (sales)
  • National Board of Directors
  • Nervous Breakdown
  • National Bank of Detroit
  • Never Back Down
  • Nitro-2-1,3-BenzoxaDiazol-4-yl (green fluorescent dye used to track synthetic lipids)
  • Normal Blood Donor
  • New Bible Dictionary (reference book)
  • Negative Binomial Distribution (statistics)
  • Network Based Defense
  • National Bibliographic Database (Australia)
  • Neuro-Behcet’s Disease
  • Nozzle Bay Door (aviation)
  • Network Building Blocks Division
  • Nice But Dim (person)
  • National Bank of Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
  • Negara Brunei Darussalam
  • Need by Date (various companies)
  • Natural Born Divers (Germany)
  • Neighborhood Business District (various locations)
  • Neurobiological Disorders
  • Next Business Day
  • Nevada by Design (Las Vegas, Nevada)
  • Normal Business Day

What are synonyms and antonyms for the abbreviation NBD?

There are many different words and phrases that can be used in place of the acronym NBD – these are called synonyms. Synonyms are words and phrases that have the same definition as another word or phrase. It is very useful to know synonyms if you want to avoid using slang terms, if you want to expand your vocabulary, or if you want to avoid repeating yourself. This list of synonyms for “no big deal” is provided by Thesaurus

  • inconsiderable
  • frivolous
  • niggling
  • inconsiderate
  • measly
  • silly
  • irrelative
  • inane
  • trivial
  • trifling
  • banal
  • hollow
  • inappropriate
  • minuscule
  • immaterial
  • shallow
  • forget it
  • jejune
  • vain
  • of no importance
  • inapposite
  • matter of indifference
  • inconsiderable
  • insignificant
  • negligible
  • slight
  • foreign
  • trivial
  • extraneous
  • unimportant
  • puny
  • loitering
  • of no consequence
  • empty
  • small
  • inessential
  • valueless
  • nugatory
  • tiny
  • insipid
  • dinky
  • of no account
  • piddling
  • unnecessary
  • picayune
  • vapid
  • no never mind
  • petty
  • inapplicable
  • no big thing
  • unimportant
  • meaningless
  • inconsequential
  • paltry
  • idle
  • inconsequential
  • impertinent
  • idling

There are also many words that mean the opposite of “no big deal.” These are called antonyms, and are useful to know in order to expand your vocabulary and use more targeted, concise speech. Ths list of antonyms is also provided by Thesaurus

  • meaningful
  • earnest
  • esteemed
  • vital
  • influential
  • momentous
  • of note
  • great
  • something
  • of substance
  • mattering much
  • critical
  • standout
  • exigent
  • crucial
  • signal
  • determining
  • principal
  • of moment
  • front-page
  • weighty
  • foremost
  • necessary
  • ponderous
  • relevant
  • urgent
  • serious
  • big
  • extensive
  • pressing
  • big-league
  • imperative
  • far-reaching
  • marked
  • primary
  • salient
  • grave
  • importunate
  • significant
  • decisive
  • heavy
  • considerable
  • exceptional
  • conspicuous
  • material
  • large
  • substantial
  • chief
  • essential
  • paramount
  • valuable
  • important

How can the acronym NBD be used in a sentence?

The acronym NBD can be used in a variety of casual circumstances in order to alert someone else to the fact that something is not a big deal and that they should not fret about it or worry about it. In this first example, Hallie was supposed to take Sarah to the airport very early in the morning but never showed up. Hallie texts Sarah.

Hallie: OMG OMG OMG hi I’m the worst please don’t hate me forever. I’m so so so sorry, I completely slept through my alarms, I don’t know what happened!

Sarah: OMG you’re totally fine it’s NBD at all I promise! When I couldn’t reach you after like fifteen minutes I just called an Uber. I’m at my gate now just waiting to board, you can go back to sleep LMAO.

Hallie: Promise you’re not mad at me and that you won’t hate me forever?

Sarah: I promise!

Hallie: Well, I promise I will make it up to you by being the BEST airport-picker-upper in the world! You’re getting a cake!

Sarah: LMAO.

Here, Sarah uses NBD to tell Hallie not to worry about oversleeping when she was supposed to take her to the airport. She tells Hallie that she was able to find a rideshare service and that Hallie doesn’t need to worry herself.

Overall, the acronym NBD most often stands for “no big deal.” This internet slang term is often used to let someone know that the thing they are worrying about is not a problem at all, and that they should not dwell on it or fret about it. This is a very casual term and should not be used in professional or formal settings – but if you mess up, it’s NBD!

Sources:

  1. https://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/NBD
  2. https://www.thesaurus.com/browse/important
  3. https://www.thesaurus.com/browse/no%20big%20deal
  4. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/NBD#:~:text=no%20big%20deal%20%E2%80%94used%20to,humble%20opinion%20it’s%20really%20NBD.%20%E2%80%94
  5. https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=nbd