DNO

What Does DNO Mean in a Text?

DNO means "Don't Know." The abbreviation DNO is commonly used to express undecision or that someone does not have an answer to a question. Sometimes it can be written as "dunno," which some believe led to the use of DNO as a shortened version. Occasionally, it can be used to express anger at something that has happened. (For example, "I don't know. It doesn't matter how many times I ask her not to use my cup she still does it.")

When applied to a group of people, (e.g., people voting in an opinion poll) those who are undecided can be known collectively as the "don't knows."

Image for DNO

When I write DNO, I mean this:

DNO means you are undecided or have no answer to a question.

Summary of Key Points

"Don't Know" is the most common definition for DNO on Snapchat, WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

DNO
Definition:	Don't Know
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	2: Quite easy to guess
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Examples of DNO in Sentences

Here are examples of DNO being used in conversations:

• Sophie: Tell me a joke.
• Hannah: I used to think I was indecisive, but now I DNO.
• Sophie: Don't give up your day job!

• Carol: What do you call a Chinese baby who arrives before their due date?
• Nick: DNO.
• Carol: Sudden Lee.

An Academic Look at DNO

DNO is an acronym (i.e., an abbreviation spoken like a word). Acronyms differ from initialism abbreviations, which are pronounced using their individual letters.

What Did We Say before Texting and Social Media?

Before the digital era, we would have just said "I don't know" instead of DNO.

Example of DNO Used in a Text

Quiz

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