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Definition of yolo

yolo

/ˈjoʊ.loʊ/
yo · lo
Past Simple:yoloed
•
Past Participle:yoloed
•
Present Participle:yoloing
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yolo Lexical Profile

yolo Game Scores & Validity

• interjection

1

Used to express the view that one should enjoy the present moment and take risks without worrying about the future, as an abbreviation for "you only live once."

Example

"I decided to book the last-minute flight to Tokyo—yolo!"

Synonyms
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• noun

1

A carefree, impulsive, or risk-taking attitude based on the belief that one only lives once.

Example

"His philosophy of pure yolo led him to quit his corporate job and travel the world."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• verb

1

To act impulsively, recklessly, or audaciously, or to risk something entirely on a single bold venture (slang, especially in finance and gaming).

Example

"He yoloed his entire year-end bonus into speculative tech stocks."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for yolo

• Nearby Words

yolk
yolked
yolky
yolo
yom
yom river
yonago

Word Origin & Etymology

An acronym for the phrase "you only live once," widely popularized in 2011 by the hip-hop song "The Motto" by Canadian rapper Drake.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Yolo. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/yolo
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