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

Do you know the definition of TDLR? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the abbreviation TDLR, including its definition, usage, example sentences, and more!

Your writing, at its best

Compose bold, clear, mistake-free, writing with Grammarly's AI-powered writing assistant

What does the acronym TDLR stand for?

TDLR is a common typo for the acronym TLDR. According to Merriam-Webster and How to Geek, the acronym TLDR stands for “Too Long; Didn’t Read.” Shorthand term is one of many different internet acronyms that you might see on social media sites or places like Reddit. This piece of writing is a snarky summary at the end of a long post. 

According to The Free Dictionary, the acronym TLDR has a couple of other potential meanings, though these are less common. If you do decide to use one of these alternate definitions for the acronym TLDR, make sure that you provide the reader or listener with the appropriate context so that they can infer the correct meaning. Since the meaning “too long, didn’t read” is so popular, this is necessary. This should be common practice with any acronym that you use that has more than one potential meaning.

  •  Top Level Design Review
  •  Top Level Domain Registry

TDLR stands for the Texas Department of Licensing and Registrations. According to Texas, this Texas commission and state agency ensures the safety of Texans across a wide range of occupations, facilities, businesses, and equipment. They implement qualified professionals across a broad range of occupations. Many different types of occupations including an independent contractor, executive director, people who need an HVAC license or air conditioning permit, instrument fitters, rental license, people who perform inspections, and audiologists can benefit from the TDLR.

This can also stand for Texas Driver License, which is given out by the Texas DPS headquarters, according to Texas Driving School. If you are under 18 years of age and trying to get a license, you need instruction from the student’s parent, step-parent, grandparent, step-grandparent, foster parent, or legal guardian who must complete the Parent Taught Driver Education program guide and a certain amount of hours of online instruction and behind the wheel training. You also need proof of residency. You can also get a learner license through a drivers ed course in a classroom that has exams and follows a driver’s education course. If you follow the instructions from the state, you can get your license by mail. The full meaning of TDLR is far different from the full form of the internet slang word TLDR, so make sure that you do not mix these up when reading. 

How can the acronym TLDR be used in a sentence?

The acronym TLDR can be used in many different sentences. However, this slang term is considered casual so it is not appropriate to use in professional or formal settings. Only use this term in casual conversation, such as text messages or on social media. Avoid using this phrase in business emails, formal letters, or other polite situations. One can always use a synonym in place of the acronym TLDR. Below are a few examples of ways that a person can use TLDR in a sentence. In this example, Hannah is freaking out about being accused of cheating on an exam. 

Ricky: Hey, what happened after Ms. Roberts kept you after?

Hannah: Oh my God, okay, so she said that during the exam on Friday, me and Stephen had all of the same answers on the test. And then she accused me of cheating off od Stephen, which like, isn’t even possible, because Stephen and I sit across the room from each other. First of all, I would never cheat, and second of all I don’t have superhuman vision. Also, how dare she accuse ME of cheating off of HIM? Like I couldn’t possibly get a good grade? Then, she tries to say that we stole the exam from her in advance and that’s how we both got 100%. We just studied. But she doesn’t believe either one of us. TL;DR, we’re screwed. 

What are synonyms for the acronym TLDR?

There are quite a few different English words and phrases that one can use in place of the acronym TLDR. Like many slang words, the acronym TLDR is not always appropriate to use in professional or formal settings. Therefore, it is useful to know synonyms for this term. A synonym is a word or phrase that has the same definition as another word or phrase. Synonyms are also useful to know if you are trying not to repeat yourself or if you are trying to expand your English language vocabulary. This list of synonyms for the term TLDR is provided by Thesaurus.

  • truncate
  •  rehash
  •  chop
  •  rehashed
  •  in a nutshell
  •  conspectus
  •  précis
  •  nutshell
  •  résumé
  •  boiled down
  •  extract
  •  abbreviation
  •  narrow
  •  review
  •  lessen
  •  compress
  •  curtail
  •  abridgment
  •  sum and substance
  •  compendium
  •  in a word
  •  recap
  •  trim
  •  shortly
  •  breviloquent
  •  inventory
  •  curt
  •  pandect
  •  survey
  •  slash
  •  restrict
  •  abbreviate
  •  reduce
  •  compendiary
  •  analysis
  •  wrap-up
  •  essence
  •  laconic
  •  short
  •  hasty
  •  concisely
  •  sketch
  •  core
  •  blue pencil
  •  summing-up
  •  condensed
  •  perfunctory
  •  compendious
  •  abridged
  •  terse
  •  summarize
  •  synopsis
  •  snip
  •  pithy
  •  condense
  •  downsize
  •  clip
  •  compacted
  •  in short
  •  diminish
  •  cut
  •  in brief
  •  rundown
  •  outline
  •  abstract
  •  run-down
  •  digest
  •  roundup
  •  put in nutshell
  •  aperçu
  •  decrease
  •  contract
  •  long and short of it
  •  recapitulation
  •  version
  •  succinct
  •  short and sweet
  •  run-through
  •  syllabus
  •  report
  •  prospectus
  •  succinctly
  •  in a few words
  •  recapped
  •  brief
  •  skeleton
  •  to sum things up
  •  arbitrary
  •  cursory
  •  concentrate
  •  reduction
  •  limit
  •  precis
  •  capitulation
  •  case
  •  sense
  •  condensation
  •  briefly
  •  compact
  •  summarily
  •  epitome

Overall, the acronym TDLR is a common typo for the slang term TLDR, which stands for too long, didn’t read. This internet slang term is often used on forum sites like Reddit at the end of a long post. This will signify a summary that is usually humorous and snarky. 

Sources: 

  1. TLDR – What does TLDR stand for? | The Free Dictionary 
  2. SUMMARY Synonyms: 82 Synonyms & Antonyms for SUMMARY | Thesaurus 
  3. Tl;dr | Definition of Tl;dr | Merriam-Webster 
  4. What Does “TLDR” Mean, and How Do You Use It? | How to Geek 
  5. About the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation | Texas.gov. 
  6. Frequently Asked Questions | Teen Drivers Ed FAQs | Texas Driving School