YOLO
Americaninterjection
verb (used without object)
Etymology
Origin of YOLO
First recorded in 1995–2000; but popularized by the Canadian rapper Drake in his song “The Motto”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Stephanie Sala felt last year had a YOLO, or “you only live once,” feel to it.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 16, 2022
"YOLO" is an acronym that stands for the saying "you only live once."
From Fox News • Jun. 26, 2021
Philosopher Nick Riggle meditates on the significance of YOLO, and why maybe living twice, or an infinite number of times, makes no difference to the value we place on adventure and risk-taking.
From Slate • Jun. 22, 2019
Of particular interest will be the Republican race in Pennsylvania, which will award 71 delegates – more than any other state tonight – on a basis that can only be described as YOLO.
From The Guardian • Apr. 26, 2016
"YOLO" occurred three times, including on a list of "Words of the Year" proposed by Graham Barrett of the American Dialect Society.
From New York Times • Dec. 31, 2012
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.