dada

[ dah-dah ]

noun

, (sometimes initial capital letter)

1. the style and techniques of a group of artists, writers, etc., of the early 20th century who exploited accidental and incongruous effects in their work and who programmatically challenged established canons of art, thought, morality, etc.

Dada

/ ˈdɑːdɑːˌɪzəm; ˈdɑːdɑː /

noun

1. a nihilistic artistic movement of the early 20th century in W Europe and the US, founded on principles of irrationality, incongruity, and irreverence towards accepted aesthetic criteria

Derived Forms

• ˌDadaˈistic, adjective
• ˌDadaˈistically, adverb
• ˈDadaist, nounadjective

Other Words From

• dada·ism noun
• dada·ist noun
• dada·istic adjective
• dada·isti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of dada¹

1915–20; < French: hobby horse, childish reduplication of da giddyap

Word History and Origins

Origin of dada¹

C20: from French, from a children's word for hobbyhorse, the name being arbitrarily chosen

Example Sentences

Inspired by Dada, Fluxus was an international movement founded in the 1960s that sought to break down the distinctions between art and life.

From Washington Post

The other day we got in the car and I had a CD on, and he said, “Dada, is that James Brown?”

From The Daily Beast

At Performa, Shana Lutker revisits a wild Dada play that featured a nose and some lips.

From The Daily Beast

Carlos Dada, editor of El Faro, believes his detractors protest too much.

From The Daily Beast

Was one of Dada's fathers really such a mystery or did he show his true self in his art?

From The Daily Beast

Self-Portrait, 1916,” which Man Ray made at the age of 26, is notably considered the “first proto-Dada assemblage.

From The Daily Beast

And dada only kissed the weary little faces of the supplicants, and laughed again until the tears ran down his cheeks.

From Project Gutenberg

And we can't go home without a single nugget to buy presents with, or dada'll be sure to whack us.

From Project Gutenberg

Not long after Porphyrius and the philosopher had retired to a private room Herse returned with Dada.

From Project Gutenberg

Here, Dada—here; take this ring, it has been worn by a woman who once was young and who has had many lovers.

From Project Gutenberg

She spoke with such earnest conviction that Dada remained silent with downcast eyes, and Karnis sat up to think the matter over.

From Project Gutenberg