YOLO

What it means

YOLO stands for 'you only live once.' Said as a word ('YOH-loh'), it's used to justify doing something bold, fun, or reckless because life is short. It can be sincere encouragement or an ironic excuse for a questionable decision.

Words like “YOLO” are exactly the kind of vocabulary our English vocabulary size test measures — find out how many English words you know.

Examples

• I booked the trip last minute — YOLO.
• He ordered the most expensive thing on the menu. YOLO.
• YOLO, let's just go for it.
• She quit her job to travel. Very YOLO.

Where it comes from

An acronym popularized around 2011 and quickly turned into a catchphrase — and a punchline — for impulsive choices. A modern echo of the older 'carpe diem.'

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