pda

pda — noun

1. romantic touching or kissing done openly in front of other people.

1.nounB2
Definition

romantic touching or kissing done openly in front of other people.

Example

At the school dance, teachers reminded students there was no PDA allowed.

no PDA

At the mall, Lily looked away from the couple's PDA.

the couple's PDA

Common collocations
  • too much PDA
  • no PDA
  • ban PDA
  • public PDA
Synonyms
  • public affection

    a more neutral phrase for showing romantic feeling where others can see it

  • kissing

    narrower because it names one specific act, not all kinds of PDA

  • making out

    more intense and more strongly physical than ordinary PDA

  • canoodling

    playful and slightly old-fashioned word, often humorous

Grammar Patterns

too much PDA

no PDA

PDA in public

keep PDA to a minimum

Usage Note

Usually uncountable and common in comments, gossip, or school and workplace rules, especially in phrases like 'too much PDA' and 'no PDA'. Distinguish it from noun/1, which names a device.

Common Mistakes

The sign said no PDAs in the hallway.
The sign said no PDA in the hallway.
this sense is usually uncountable when talking about public romantic behavior in general.
My parents saw us PDA at the station.
My parents saw us showing PDA at the station.
'PDA' is a noun here, not a verb.

2. a pocket-sized electronic organizer used to keep names, dates, notes, and relate

2.nounC1
Definition

a pocket-sized electronic organizer used to keep names, dates, notes, and related personal details.

Example

Before smartphones became common, doctors carried a PDA on hospital rounds.

carry a PDA

Nina entered the hotel booking into her PDA before leaving the airport.

enter details into a PDA

Common collocations
  • carry a PDA
  • check a PDA
  • PDA screen
  • enter details into a PDA
Synonyms
  • handheld computer

    a close general term for a small computer held in the hand

  • organizer

    stresses storing dates, contacts, and notes rather than wider computing use

  • palmtop

    an older word for a very small computer that fits in the hand

  • smartphone

    a newer device that now covers many tasks once done by a PDA

Grammar Patterns

a PDA

carry a PDA

store information on a PDA

enter details into a PDA

Usage Note

Mainly used for older handheld devices from before smartphones became common. Today, people often choose 'phone' or 'smartphone' instead when talking about a modern device with similar everyday functions.

Common Mistakes

I left my PDA charger at home,' said Ben about his iPhone.
I left my phone charger at home,' said Ben.
'PDA' usually refers to an older type of handheld device, not any modern phone.
Sara saved the address at her PDA.
Sara saved the address on her PDA.
information is usually stored on a device, not at it.

Word family

  • personal digital assistant
    nounC1
  • public display of affection
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

'PDA' is a short, often informal label for romantic behavior in public. 'Public affection' is broader and more neutral, so it can include simple hand-holding or a quick hug. 'Kissing' is narrower because it names one specific action. 'Making out' is much stronger and suggests longer, more intense kissing, often with a disapproving tone if other people are nearby. 'Canoodling' sounds playful and slightly old-fashioned, and people often use it jokingly. If a teacher says 'No PDA in the hallway', the rule covers several kinds of public romantic behavior. If a friend says 'They were making out at the bus stop', the picture is more specific and more physical.

PDA ↗public affectionkissingmaking outcanoodling

Etymology

English

PDA is a modern initialism formed from the first letters of longer English phrases. One expands to 'personal digital assistant', the name for a small handheld electronic organizer that was especially common before smartphones took over many of the same tasks. The other expands to 'public display of affection', a social label for romantic behavior shown where others can see it. So the two main senses share the same spelling, but they do not come from one historical meaning developing into another.