TBD means to be determined. It marks a detail, such as a date, place or owner, that hasn't been decided yet. You'll see it in calendar invites, job ads, event listings and project plans. It's close to TBA, to be announced, and TBC, to be confirmed, but TBD suggests the decision itself is still open.
You open a meeting invite and the location says "TBD". A job ad lists the start date as "TBD". A project plan has a column full of them. It's a tiny abbreviation that causes a surprising amount of head-scratching, especially when you're waiting on an answer and can't tell whether the sender knows it yet. I see TBD all the time in the plans and calendars of the small businesses I work with, so here's what it means, how it differs from TBA and TBC and how to use it without annoying anyone.
The TBD meaning explained
TBD stands for "to be determined". Wiktionary describes it as an initialism for "to be" followed by a past participle, so you'll also see "to be decided" or "to be defined". All of them say the same thing: the detail isn't settled yet, but it will be.
Wiktionary also lists an older, unrelated use: TBD as an initialism for "torpedo boat destroyer". You won't meet that in an office, so if a message mentions dates, rooms or names, it's the "to be determined" version.
Where TBD turns up at work
- Calendar invites: a room, time or call link that hasn't been picked yet.
- Job ads: a start date, team or reporting line still being decided.
- Project plans: task owners, deadlines or tools not yet chosen.
- Event listings: speakers, venues or running order still to come.
- Sports fixtures and schedules: a match time or opponent awaiting confirmation.
- Agendas: a topic slot kept open for something that may come up.
Spreadsheets deserve a mention, because that is where TBD multiplies fastest. A planning sheet with half its cells marked TBD is a sign nobody owns the decision. Give each blank a name and a date, and the sheet becomes a to-do list rather than a list of unknowns.
Used well, TBD is honest. It tells readers a gap exists and that nobody has forgotten it. Used badly, it's a way of avoiding a decision.
TBD in the wild: sample lines
These are invented examples to show how the term is used:
- Example (calendar): "Planning workshop, location TBD, will confirm by Friday."
- Example (job ad): "Start date: TBD, depending on notice period."
- Example (project tracker): "Owner: TBD. Needs someone from the design team."
- Example (chat): "Do we have a speaker for the afternoon slot?" "TBD, two options on the table."
- Example (agenda): "Any other business: TBD."
TBD versus TBA, TBC and similar terms
Several abbreviations cover the same ground. The usual readings are below, although people do mix them up, so check what a colleague means if it matters.
| Term | Usual meaning | Suggests |
|---|---|---|
| TBD | To be determined or decided | Not decided yet, may depend on other things |
| TBA | To be announced | Decided or about to be, but not yet shared |
| TBC | To be confirmed | A plan exists but isn't final |
| TBS | To be scheduled | Waiting for a slot in the diary |
| N/A | Not applicable | Doesn't apply at all |
The key difference is how far along things are. TBD means the choice hasn't been made. TBC means there's a likely answer waiting for sign-off. TBA means someone knows and will tell you shortly. If you're organising an event, picking the right one avoids false hope. Writing "time TBC" suggests a time is pencilled in, whereas "time TBD" is honest that it isn't.
If TBDs keep piling up in your plans, a tidy tracker helps. A project management office exists partly to chase exactly this kind of loose end. It's also useful to learn other shorthand you'll meet beside it, such as what DM means on Instagram.
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How to use TBD without frustrating people
- Say who will decide and by when: "Venue TBD, Sam will confirm by Thursday."
- Never leave TBD in anything a customer will read as final, such as a quote, contract or invoice.
- Remove or update every TBD once the detail is known, so old placeholders don't linger.
- Use it sparingly in a plan. A page that is mostly TBD tells your team nothing.
- In a job ad, give at least a range or a reason, such as "start date TBD, depending on notice period".
Spelling out to be determined for outsiders
Spell it out for clients, candidates and anyone outside your team. An invitation that says "Location: to be confirmed, we'll email you by Friday" sounds warmer and clearer than "Location: TBD". It's also kinder to readers who are new to English or to office shorthand. Printed programmes, public notices and formal letters look neater with full words too.
Answering a colleague's TBD
Acknowledge it and ask when you'll know more. Something like "Thanks, when do you think that'll be settled?" keeps things friendly. If you need the answer to plan your own work, say why: "I need the location by Wednesday to book transport." A specific date gives the other person a reason to follow up, and it gives you a record if the plan slips.
Frequently asked questions
What does TBD mean?
TBD means to be determined. It marks a detail, such as a date, place or name, that hasn't been decided yet. You may also see it read as to be decided or to be defined.
What is the difference between TBD and TBA?
TBD usually means the decision hasn't been made. TBA means to be announced, which suggests it's known or about to be and just hasn't been shared yet.
What does TBC mean?
TBC means to be confirmed. It suggests there's a likely answer, but it needs final approval before anyone can rely on it.
Can TBD mean anything else?
Wiktionary also lists torpedo boat destroyer. In calendars, plans and job ads, the to be determined meaning is the one you'll nearly always see.
Is it rude to put TBD on an invite?
Not if you say when the detail will be confirmed. A bare TBD with no follow-up date can feel vague, so add who is deciding and a rough deadline.
