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 the absurdist, avant-garde art movement dada, he became a leading figure of the British comedy scene alongside contemporaries like Alan Bennett, Dudley Moore and Spike Milligan.

From BBC

“There are some question marks around that, but I think her first word might have been ‘dada’ — but when she knew what ‘mama’ and ‘dada’ meant, it was ‘mama,’ ” Dylan said with a chuckle.

From Washington Post

As a result, this specific babbling bent makes "dadas," "babas" and "papas" – along with "apas" and "abas" – very popular things for little Carlos or Keisha to say while hanging out in the crib.

From Salon

I mentioned in the book that I knew two words for as long as I can remember, along with "mama" and "dada."

From Salon

With no resonating chamber in the throat, they can manage little beyond mama, dada, ga-ga.

From New York Times