What Does WDYM Mean? A Quick Definition & Guide


What Does WDYM MeanPin

Seen the acronym WDYM online? Wondering what in the hell it means? Well, wonder no more – here’s what WDYM means


It seems like a new slang term or acronym appears online every day. If you have teenage kids, you’ll be exposed to new slang terms and acronyms on a daily basis – do you know what XOXO means? One of the more popular but largely misunderstood acronyms doing the round right now, however, is WDYM.

WDYM Meaning

What does WDYM mean? It’s actually really simple: WDYM means What Do You Mean. Simple, right? And people use WDYM in text messages and in replies to posts online. It is used to express confusion about what someone is saying – or, as a request, for more clarity in a statement.

What Does WDYM MeanPin

For instance, a friend or colleague could ask you if you’re ready and prepared for the work seminar on Tuesday. If you weren’t aware there was a work seminar next Tuesday, you could reply with WDYM!? This implies that you A) did not know there was a work seminar, and B) are obviously completely unprepared for it.

Justin Bieber even wrote a song called What Do You Mean, and that song is about a girlfriend that isn’t making sense to him. WDYM, therefore, is very much part of the zeitgeist, just as much as it was back in the day of SMS messaging and MSN Messenger.

Different Uses of WDYM

You can use WDYM to express confusion about something, say, a work event that you didn’t know was happening or, as it is often used online, as a reply to someone that posts something either totally incoherent or completely bonkers like your auntie sharing memes about 5G and COVID vaccines on Facebook or your cousin that’s into flat earth theory.

This makes WDYM a dual-or-even-triple use acronym. You can use it to ask for more clarity about something that someone said; to poke fun at a ridiculous and blatantly false statement; or, finally, to communicate that you have no idea about something happening that you probably should – like an important work even you’ve forgotten all about.

The History of WDYM

Like most internet-based slang terms and acronyms, there is no clear genesis for WDYM. It just kind of happened, following the rise of SMS text messages and then made its way online inside social media sites like Facebook and Instagram, as well as places like Reddit and even Snapchat and other IM apps like WhatsApp.

At some point, somebody decided to shorten What Do You Mean down to WDYM. Who that person was will remain a mystery forevermore, but it likely started in the 1990s as mobile phones and T9 keyboards became popular. Typing on old T9 keyboards was a chore, so people started using acronyms like LOL and WDYM to make life easier.

As more and more people got connected to the internet and started using IM chats like AOL Messenger and MSN Messenger, these SMS-derived acronyms made their way online. This is why acronyms like LOL and IIRC and WDYM were so popular at the time and remain so today. They’re ingrained in our collective unconsciousness; people, almost instinctively in some cases, just know what they mean.

How To Use WDYM

Using WDYM is pretty simple. If someone asks you a question and you do not understand the meaning, you can simply reply with WDYM? If they know their internet slang, they’ll understand what YOU mean and send you back a more detailed reply.

Another example would be if someone texts you something a little vague or off-putting. Rather than starting a shouting match, you could reply with WDYM by that? By asking them to explain their position or statement more clearly, you might just avoid an argument or altercation.

And lastly, you can use WDYM to get more information about confusing statements made by people. For instance, say you have an auntie that is always posting crazy stuff on Facebook, you could respond to a post by saying, “this doesn’t make sense, WDYM?”

Using WDYM is fairly simple, as you can see. But it is a rather nuanced acronym that works in a range of settings and contexts. As with all acronyms, however, the recipient NEEDS to be aware of what it means in order to understand what you’re saying. If they don’t, you’re stuck inside an irony loop that’ll require you to explain the ins and outs of using the phrase WDYM correctly.

Or, you could just send them this article.

Latest Smartphone Releases


  • Xiaomi 15S Pro

    The Xiaomi 15S Pro didn’t come with a flashy launch, but it brings some seriously heavy hardware to the table. A custom 10-core chip, Leica-engineered cameras, and one of the brightest displays on the market

  • Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

    At just 5.8mm thick, it’s one of the thinnest Android phones ever made—but don’t let the slim profile fool you. This phone is all flagship under the hood.

  • Nothing Phone (3a) Pro

    It’s got the same slick design and OLED display, but adds a periscope zoom camera and a 50MP front-facing shooter.

  • Nothing Phone (3a)

    The Nothing Phone (3a) nails the formula: give people what they actually want, keep the price low, and make it look cooler than anything else in its class.

  • Motorola EDGE 60 Pro

    With a bold design, flagship-like display, and surprisingly refined camera system, it’s one of the most interesting mid-range phones of 2025.

  • Google Pixel 9

    I’ve been using the Pixel 9 for a few weeks now, and honestly? It nails all the basics—and a bit more. Killer stuff all round!

  • Google Pixel 9 Pro

    I’ve used the Pixel 9 Pro as my daily device, and it’s hands-down the best balance of power, practicality, and photography you’ll find on Android right now.

  • OnePlus 13

    I’ve been using the OnePlus 13 as my daily driver for a few months now—and I’ve got to say, it’s easily one of the best Android phones I’ve tested this year.

  • Xiaomi 15 Ultra

    After using the Xiaomi 15 Ultra for over a week, I can confidently say: this phone is an absolute beast. It’s made for camera nerds, power users, and creators.

  • iPhone 16 Pro Max

    If you’ve been holding out for a truly complete iPhone, the 16 Pro Max delivers—hard. After using it daily, I won't be going back…

  • Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

    Big screen, big battery, and even bigger brains—this is the Pixel to get if you want Google’s best hardware and longest support.

  • Google Pixel 9a

    The Pixel 9a brings Google’s flagship-level smarts to a budget-friendly package, and it’s easily one of the best-value Android phones of 2025.

Best SIM-Only Plans & Deals


  • Boost Mobile Unlimited Premium Plan

    Boost’s top-tier option brings the heat: 50GB of premium data, hotspot, North America roaming, global talk & text, and $430 off select devices. All-in at $60/month with no contract.

    +

    Data: Unlimited (50GB premium speed)

  • Boost Mobile Unlimited+ Plan

    Level up with 40GB of premium data, hotspot access, global calling, and up to $300 in device savings. All for just $50/month. No contracts and flexible phone options included.

    +

    Data: Unlimited; Speed Caps After 40GB

  • Boost Mobile Unlimited Plan

    Start strong with 30GB of premium data, unlimited everything, and a killer intro offer: just $15/month for the first 3 months, then $25/month forever. No contracts. No fluff. Big value.

    +

    Data: Unlimited (Speed Caps Over 30GB)

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 108GB

    Another high-data, low-cost option with no contract. 108GB for just £9, full 5G access, and the same goodies you get with 12-month deals.

    +

    Data: 108GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 20GB

    The lowest price option. 20GB for £6 with all the same perks as pricier plans. Great if you don’t use much data and want to save every penny.

    +

    Data: 20GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 110GB

    This plan gives you big data and zero commitment. 110GB for just £10 with all perks intact. If you need more data but want the freedom to cancel, this is the one.

    +

    Data: 110GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 60GB

    More data, same price. For just £8/month, you get 60GB on a no-strings 1-month rolling plan. Ideal for users who stream often but don’t want long commitments.

    +

    Data: 60GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 40GB

    Perfect if you want full flexibility. You get 40GB and all of iD Mobile's perks with no lock-in, annual increases, or setup fees. Great for short-term users.

    +

    Data: 40GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: 60GB

    One of the best pound-per-GB plans around. You get 60GB for £8 with £25 cashback, which means you’re effectively paying closer to £6/month. Includes roaming and data rollover.

    +

    Data: 60GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: 108GB

    This deal gets you a healthy 108GB of 5G data for less than a tenner, with no upfront costs and £24 cashback. All the perks are included too: data rollover, roaming, and loyalty rewards.

    +

    Data: 108GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: Unlimited Data

    This iD Mobile plan doesn’t just compete on price, it’s up there with the best of them. Unlimited everything, a year-long lock-in with no price rises, and £42 cashback straight to your pocket. It’s like getting nearly 3 months free.

    +

    Data: Unlimited, No Speed Caps

  • Mint Mobile 20GB Plan

    If you're looking to save some cash on your bills, this plan is an awesome option. You'll get 20GB of data per month and 20GB hotspot data allowance. For moderate to heavy users, that should be more than enough. I seldom use more than 10GB of data a month, and I'm always using my phone

    +

    Data: 20GB