Do you know the definition of TLDR and how it might be used on internet forums? This article will supply you with everything you need to know!
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Kevin
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February 3, 2022
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Common Questions
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What Does the Acronym TLDR Stand For?
According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, the acronym TLDR stands for “Too Long; Didn’t Read.” This shorthand term is one of many internet slang terms that you might see on social media platforms or discussion forums like Reddit.
A TLDR sentence is a short summary that is found at the end of a piece of original text that is used when the length of a person’s post is exceedingly long. The origin of TLDR is on the internet in the early 2000s.
Writing and Pronouncing TLDR
The acronym TLDR is pronounced as an initialism, meaning that you pronounce each of the individual letters in the acronym. Therefore, it is pronounced “tee el dee arr.” You’ll usually find this acronym used online at the end of a long article or post.
This shorthand notation can be written in uppercase or lowercase and sometimes includes a semicolon in between TL and DR. It’s usually followed by a brief summary of the content written above it. As they say, brevity is the soul of wit!
What Else Can TLDR Stand For?
According to The Free Dictionary, TLDR also has other potential meanings, though these are for a very specific technology use case. Often, if you are seeing TLDR online, it will stand for “too long didn’t read.” However, it is useful to know these other potential meanings just in case you see TLDR used differently.
- Top-Level Design Registry
- Top-Level Domain Review
Is the Acronym TLDR Casual or Formal?
The acronym TLDR is considered extremely casual and very inappropriate to use in formal, business, or professional settings. Try not to use this phrase in professional communication such as formal letters or business emails.
Save TLDR for casual conversations, sending text messages to a friend, or in social media posts on sites like Twitter, Facebook, 4Chan, and more. This internet jargon works best in an online chatting context. When in doubt, use a synonym instead of the acronym TLDR in cases of more courteous exchanges or serious discussions.
What Are Examples of TLDR?
The abbreviation TLDR can be used in a variety of different ways in casual conversation. Below are a few examples of TLDR being used in text-based exchange. Try referencing these examples sentences for guidance when you are trying to come up with your own use cases for the term TLDR!
- First I went to the grocery store, then the post office, then I went to the craft store, then the gas station, and then the car wash. TL;DR – I ran way too many errands today. I’m exhausted!
- Mr. Miller has failed me on last week’s exam, this week’s quiz, my homework for the last five weeks, AND he refuses to see me for help during his office hours. TL;DR – he HATES me.
- That professor droned on and on for hours about nothing. I really could have used a TL;DR for that lecture…
What Are Other Common Online Acronyms?
Zip Whip lists many different other slang terms that you might see on the internet. Some of these are acronyms, and some are abbreviations, but all of them are helpful to know if you are on social media!
- Cyt: See You Tomorrow
- Smh: Shaking My Head
- Fwiw: For What It’s Worth
- Srsly: Seriously
- Afaik: As Far As I Know
- Hth: Hope This Helps
- Mfw: My Face When
- Tyt: Take Your Time
- Iirc: If I Recall Correctly
- Wdym: What Do You Mean?
- Qotd: Quote Of The Day
- Cob: Close Of Business
- Bbl: Be Back Later
- Nth: Nice To Have
- Idc: I Don’t Care
- Jsyk: Just So You Know
- Np: No Problem
- Imo: In My Opinion
- Tmi: Too Much Information
- Ppl: People
- Ftfy: Fixed That For You
- Rn: Right Now
- Diky: Do I Know You?
- Ty: Thank You
- Diy: Do It Yourself
- Tba: To Be Announced
- Cya: See Ya
- Snmp: So Not My Problem
- Thx: Thanks
- Ttp: To The Point
- Ttyl: Talk To You Later
- Amaa: Ask Me Almost Anything
- Wywh: Wish You Were Here
- Jic: Just In Case
- G2g: Got To Go
- Bc Or B/C: Because
- Ymmv: Your Mileage May Vary
- Tbf: To Be Frank
- Wfh: Work From Home
- Ofc: Of Course
- Hbu: How About You?
- Bff: Best Friends Forever
What Are Synonyms for the Acronym TLDR?
Since the acronym TLDR is so casual and specific to online subcultures, it can be useful to know synonyms for this word. The Online Thesaurus provides numerous different words that you could use in place of the term TLDR. If you are not posting on social media or casually texting with a friend or acquaintance, opt to use one of these synonyms instead of TLDR.
- Version
- Reduce
- Trim
- Laconic
- Breviloquent
- Inventory
- Blue Pencil
- Compact
- In A Few Words
- To Sum Things Up
- Core
- Rehash
- In A Nutshell
- Report
- Abstract
- Skeleton
- Survey
- Compendious
- Arbitrary
- Long And Short Of It
- Condensed
- Epitome
- Abbreviation
- Narrow
- Curt
- Briefly
- Run-Down
- Cursory
- Condensation
- Compress
- Recapitulation
- Lessen
- Restrict
- Wrap-Up
- Short And Sweet
- Aperçu
- Concisely
- Conspectus
- Capitulation
- In Brief
- Outline
- Compacted
- Sense
- Roundup
- Shortly
- Compendium
- Summarily
- Put In Nutshell
- Precis
- Boiled Down
- Snip
- Abbreviate
- Review
- Diminish
- Recapped
- Perfunctory
- Run-Through
- Pandect
- Recap
- Concentrate
- Truncate
- Abridged
- Clip
- Synopsis
- Précis
- Digest
- Analysis
- Reduction
- Summarize
- Sum And Substance
- Decrease
- Succinct
- Terse
- Nutshell
- Résumé
- Abridgment
- Essence
- Sketch
- Downsize
- Rehashed
- Contract
- Limit
- Condense
- Short
- Extract
- Pithy
- Rundown
- Summing-Up
- Hasty
- In A Word
- Cut
- Succinctly
- Chop
- Curtail
- Slash
- Prospectus
- Case
- Brief
- Syllabus
- In Short
Summing Up
The acronym TLDR stands for too long, didn’t read. This acronym is used on online forums before a summary of a lengthy post. You can use it sincerely or with a sarcastic undertone.
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