What Does "WYO" Mean? WYO Definition (2022)

What does WYO mean? Does it mean When You Out? Does it mean With Your Otter? These short forms and abbreviations that get used in online conversations and text conversations can be highly confusing. Our brains want to understand them as quickly as possible to piece together the conversation.

Learn the meaning and definition behind "WYO" in this guide.

Learn the meaning behind "WYO" in conversations

"WYO" definition and meaning

"WYO" stands for "What You On." It is used a slang abbreviation to start a conversation about someone's current or future plans. It is a slang term that has the same meaning as a friend asking, "What's up?" Or "What are you doing?"

The term could get used when they want to ask friends and family about new plans, existing plans, or future plans. The friend could be inquiring about the idea of spending time together, hanging out, or making plans.

History of the acronym "WYO"

Urban Dictionary dates the first origins of the acronym getting used in 2017. Although, there's no way to tell how far back the use could go. Acronyms like these go back as far as 1999, when AOL Instant Messenger was a popular platform in the United States.

"WYO" getting used in a text conversation

Where could I see "WYO" in a conversation?

The various places that someone could see "WYO" could include:

Text message
Slack
Snapchat
Instagram Messages
Facebook Messenger

"WYO" is highly inappropriate to use in a professional setting (e.g., business setting—like Slack or Microsoft Teams). And is traditionally used during informal conversations. For example, between two friends.

"WYO" used in a text conversation between two friends

Examples of "WYO" getting used in a conversation

Here are examples where "WYO" is getting used in a conversation:

Example one

Friend 1: WYO?

Friend 2: I don't know, I'm probably going to go to the park today. Hang out with my friends later and may be see a movie.

Friend 1: Cool.

In this example, the first friend is using "WYO" as a way of asking what the other friend is going to do during the day. It is getting used as a greeting or a way of starting the conversation. And asking about the persons current or future plans for the day.

Example two

Friend 1: I don't know what I'm going to do today..

Friend 2: WYO?

Friend 3: Maybe go wash my car, run errands, or search Google for odd things.

This second example shows "WYO" getting used to ask the friend for more information on what they're planning to do. It is getting used to carry the conversation and to get further information about the friends feelings.

Example three

Friend 1: Yo! WYO?

Friend 2: I don't know, we should do something today. Do you have any plans?

Lastly, this example shows that the person is using "Yo" to open the conversation, then uses "WYO" to inquire or ask a question.

Short forms and acronyms similar to "WYO"

Other acronyms similar to the short form "WYO":

WYD: Used to ask someone "What You Doing?" It is an inquiry about someone's current or future plans.

HYD: This acronym would get used to ask someone, "How You Doing?" Or a way of inquiring about the persons feelings at the current moment. This could get used in a text conversation to start asking questions related to persons day, feelings, or current state.

DYK: Meaning, "Did you know?" It is an acronym that is widely used by news agencies on Snapchat TV and other media channels to communicate a news story. It is a way of asking about someone's reaction to a concept or idea.

LMK: Or, "Let me know." Is a way of asking if someone wants to take part in something.

Similar synonyms

Many synonyms can get used to ask someone what they're doing, including:

What are you up to today?
What do you want to do today?
How you doing?
What's up?
Yo!

This article was fact checked using the Wyoming Collins English dictionary.

Short form and slang guides

Other short form and slang guides to help understand acronyms used by friends:

About the author

Patrick Algrim is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), NCDA Certified Career Counselor (CCC), and general career expert. Patrick has completed the NACE Coaching Certification Program (CCP). And has been published as a career expert on Forbes, Glassdoor, American Express, Reader's Digest, LiveCareer, Zety, Yahoo, Recruiter.com, SparkHire, SHRM.org, Process.st, FairyGodBoss, HRCI.org, St. Edwards University, NC State University, IBTimes.com, Thrive Global, TMCnet.com, Work It Daily, Workology, Career Guide, MyPerfectResume, College Career Life, The HR Digest, WorkWise, Career Cast, Elite Staffing, Women in HR, All About Careers, Upstart HR, The Street, Monster, The Ladders, Introvert Whisperer, and many more. Find him on LinkedIn.

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