dude

[ dood, dyood ]

noun

1. a man excessively concerned with his clothes, grooming, and manners.
2. Slang
   1. a fellow; chap.
   2. (a general term of address used to a man, woman, or group).
3. a person reared in a large city.
4. Western U.S. an urban Easterner who vacations on a ranch.

interjection

1. Slang (an expression of shock, approval, sympathy, or other strong feeling):

   Dude! That's one expensive sandwich!

verb phrase

1. Slang. to dress in one's fanciest, best, or most stylish clothes; dress up:

   He got all duded up to go to the dance.

dude

/ duːd; djuːd /

noun

1. a city dweller, esp one holidaying on a ranch
2. a dandy
3. a person: often used to any male in direct address

Derived Forms

• ˈdudishly, adverb
• ˈdudish, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dude¹

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of dude¹

C19: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Then I looked over and Tony shot me a look like, f— yeah dude.

From Los Angeles Times

And I also think a lot of Chicago dudes look like him,” she added.

From BBC

Wait till we hit playoffs, when we’re playing some real dudes that are talented everywhere and really well coached.’

From Los Angeles Times

This downward spiral of self-destruction isn't subtle; it is why there are so many "divorced dude energy" jokes about Trump voters.

From Salon

Nearly any New Yorker could have told you that “The Donald” was a grasping, self-serving dude as far back as the 1980s.

From Salon

Related Words

• buddy
• chap
• fellow