What Does “ND” Mean? (Plus, When & How to Use It)

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Discover all the ways to use “ND,” according to Gen Z

Co-authored by Bailey Cho Reviewed by Candace Gasper

Last Updated: April 17, 2025 Fact Checked

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“ND” Meaning

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Uses

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Alternative Meanings

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More Popular Slang

You may have seen “ND” over text or social media, but what exactly does that mean? This popular abbreviation is short for “and,” so people use it to save character space in their messages. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about “ND,” including its various meanings, uses, and other popular slang terms.

“ND” Definition, Uses & Alternative Meanings

“ND” means “and” in texting and on social media. People replace “and” with “ND” if they’re in a rush or if there’s limited character space in their messages. Alternatively, depending on context, “ND” may mean “no dispense,” “no drama,” “no damage,” or “no date.”

Section 1 of 4:

What does “ND” mean?

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The abbreviation “ND” stands for “and.” Used in texting and on social media, “ND” is the shortened version of the word “and.” People use it when they’re in a hurry or if there’s limited character space in their messages.^{[1]
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- It can be written in all uppercase (“ND”), all lowercase (“nd”), or with only the first letter capitalized (“Nd”).
- Since “ND” is an uncommon way to shorten “and,” save it for casual conversations with people who are up to date on slang. Alternatively, use “n” or an ampersand (&) to avoid confusion.

Section 2 of 4:

When & How to Use “ND”

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Replace “and” with “ND” when you’re texting a loved one. If you’re in a hurry or just don’t feel like typing out every word, shorten your “and” to “ND.” It makes for a quick and efficient conversation with a friend, family member, or romantic partner.^{[2]
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- “You Nd I are like two peas in a pod. Love you 💚”
- “So ready to skip school nd hit the beach 🏄🌴🥥”
- “I’m going on vacation on Friday ND I’ll be back on Tuesday.”
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Use “ND” to meet the character limit on X. Currently, each post has a 280 character limit, but that doesn’t mean you have to cut things out to express yourself. Just use “ND” in place of “and” to keep your post as concise as possible!
- “All I do is work, listen to music, ND overthink everything.”
- “I have zero self control when it comes to Jollibee nd I don’t even care.”
- “Lisa ATE at the Celine show Nd that’s all I’m going to say about that 😤 #PFW #kpop #blackpink”
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Include “ND” to add personality to your Instagram captions. If you’re looking for a creative way to spice up your captions, use “ND” instead of “and.” It’s the perfect abbreviation to add some playfulness to a reel, carousel, or standard post.
- “The one ND only 💁‍♀️”
- “Booked Nd busy ✈️”
- “It’s just me, myself, nd I”

Section 3 of 4:

Alternative Meanings of “ND”

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No dispense Sometimes, the abbreviation “ND” may stand for “no dispense.” This usually means the doctor or pharmacist doesn’t approve the filling of a prescription.
Over text, people may use “ND” as the shortened form of “no drama.” It’s a request to keep the conversation drama free, or free from any unnecessary gossip or conflicts.
If you got into an argument with someone, “ND” could mean “no damage.” It might be their way of reassuring you that what you’ve done isn’t that serious and you two should move on.
When an article, book, or website doesn’t have a copyright or date of publication, the APA format uses the abbreviation “n.d.” to specify there’s no date listed.^{[3]
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Research source} In casual conversation, “ND” means there’s no specific date or time set for an event.
In the medical field, the abbreviation “ND” stands for “naturopathic doctor.” They focus on preventing disease and optimizing wellness, using methods like acupuncture, homeopathic medicine, nutrition, and counseling.^{[4]
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Some people put “ND” in their social media bios to indicate that they’re neurodivergent. This means their brain processes things differently than most people, which includes conditions like autism and ADHD.^{[5]
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Cleveland Clinic
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In casual conversation, “ND” could mean “no difference.” It indicates that someone doesn’t see a difference between 2 products, ideas, or opinions.
If you’re talking about a social event or party, the abbreviation “ND” might be short for “not drinking.” It means someone is choosing not to drink alcohol at the event, even if others are drinking.
Less commonly, “ND” may be an abbreviation for “North Dakota,” a midwestern state dominated by the Great Plains. The name comes from the Dakota or Sioux Indian tribe.^{[6]
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Section 4 of 4:

Other Popular Slang Words

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DND This popular acronym stands for “do not disturb.” It communicates that you’re busy or in need of alone time, so use it whenever you don’t wish to be bothered.^{[7]
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- “My interview is in 10 minutes! DND 🤫”
- “The mountains are calling me…DND 🚫”
- “I’ll be out of the office until Friday, so DND.”
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Ion On social media, “ion” is a shortened form of the phrase “I don’t.” It’s based on the colloquial pronunciation of “I don’t” when someone says it too quickly. As an acronym, “ION” stands for “in other news,” which is often used as a transitional phrase to move onto a new topic.^{[8]
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- “Ion know what’s going on 🤯”
- “ION, did you hear about the party this weekend?”
- “Ion think they’re together anymore…I saw him with another girl yesterday.”
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Finna Commonly used in the South, “finna” is a contraction of the phrase “fixing to.” It’s used online and in casual conversation, especially if the speaker has plans in the near future.^{[9]
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- “Are you free? I’m finna hit the gym if you want to join!”
- “I’m finna go to the grocery store, so let’s meet in 2 hours.”
- “I’m so glad it’s the weekend. I’m finna sleep till 12 PM every day.”
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Extra If someone calls you “extra,” it means you’re being over dramatic or doing more than what the situation calls for. It can be said in a serious or loving way, depending on your relationship with the other person.^{[10]
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- “She showed up to the event in a helicopter—she’s so extra!”
- “What’s the dress code for the party? Do we want to be casual or extra?”
- “He turned in a 20-page paper when the minimum was 10 pages. Talk about being extra!”