DTR

What Does DTR Mean in a Text?

image for DTR, showing heart made of question marks

DTR means "Define the Relationship." It is a term used in romantic relationships when a couple have a conversation about where their relationship is going (i.e., do they have a future as a couple and, if not, are they both okay with that?) The purpose of a DTR conversation is to gain clarity on whether both parties are on the same page regarding their connection, such as whether they are exclusively dating, continuing to see other people, moving towards a more serious relationship, or defining the relationship in some other way. This conversation can help prevent misunderstandings and ensure that both individuals have a clear understanding of where they stand with each other.

Check out our comprehensive list of dating terms.

Image for DTR

When I write DTR, I mean this:

DTR is a conversation about where a relationship is going.

Summary of Key Points

"Define the Relationship" is, by far, the most common meaning for DTR when it is used in a text. (Bear in mind that it could have another meaning if used in a different context.)

DTR
Definition:	Define the Relationship
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	4: Difficult to guess
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

An Academic Look at DTR

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DTR is classified as an initialism abbreviation, as it is pronounced one letter at a time. Other examples of initialisms are AI ("Artificial Intelligence") and EW ("Electronic Warfare").

Initialisms are different to acronyms, which are abbreviations spoken as words (e.g., GOAT ("Greatest Of All Time"), NATO ("North Atlantic Treaty Organization").