Dutch

[ duhch ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the natives or inhabitants of the Netherlands or their country or language.
2. pertaining to or designating the style of painting and subject matter developed in the Netherlands during the 17th century, chiefly characterized by the use of chiaroscuro, muted tones, naturalistic colors or forms, and of genre, landscape, or still-life subjects drawn from contemporary urban and rural life.
3. of, relating to, or characteristic of the Pennsylvania Dutch.
4. Archaic. German; Teutonic.

noun

1. the people of the Netherlands and their immediate descendants elsewhere, collectively.
2. Pennsylvania Dutch.
3. Also called Netherlandic. the Germanic language of the Netherlands and northern Belgium. : D, D. Compare Flemish.
4. Obsolete. the German language.

dutch

¹

/ dʌtʃ /

noun

1. slang.
   wife

Dutch

²

/ dʌtʃ /

noun

1. the language of the Netherlands, belonging to the West Germanic branch of the Indo-European family and quite closely related to German and English See also Flemish Afrikaans
2. the Dutch
   functioning as plural the natives, citizens, or inhabitants of the Netherlands
3. See Pennsylvania Dutch
4. See double Dutch
5. in Dutch slang.
   in trouble

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the Netherlands, its inhabitants, or their language

adverb

1. go Dutch informal.
   to share expenses equally

Sensitive Note

The idioms go Dutch (related to Dutch treat ) and in Dutch (which uses Dutch to mean “trouble”) are both sometimes perceived as insulting to or by the Dutch. In addition, the adjective Dutch is found in a few other set phrases ( Dutch courage, Dutch gold, and Dutch uncle ) in which it implies that something Dutch is not authentic. Although insulting a particular person or nationality may be unintentional, it is best to be aware that use of these terms is sometimes perceived as offensive to or by the Dutch.

Other Words From

• pre-Dutch adjective
• pseu·do-Dutch adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Dutch¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English Duch, from Middle Dutch duutsch “Dutch, German(ic),” Old High German diutisc “popular, vulgar (language)” (as opposed to learned Latin), translation of Latin (lingua) vulgāris “popular (language)”

Word History and Origins

Origin of Dutch¹

C19: short for duchess

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. go Dutch, Sometimes Offensive. to have each person pay their own expenses: Also go dutch.

   a dinner where everyone goes Dutch.

2. in Dutch, Sometimes Offensive. in trouble or disfavor (with someone):

   in Dutch with the teacher for disturbing the class.

More idioms and phrases containing Dutch

• beat all (the Dutch)
• double Dutch
• in Dutch

Example Sentences

They even celebrated missed first serves by the Dutch in a football-style atmosphere.

From BBC

A fragile calm hangs over the Dutch capital, still reeling from the unrest that erupted a week ago when Israeli football fans came under attack in the centre of Amsterdam.

From BBC

The researchers analyzed seven waves of data collected from more than 2,300 older Dutch adults every three years between 1995 and 2016.

From Science Daily

Iron Duke remained in contact with the pair back through the Channel and into the North Sea before handing over to a Dutch warship.

From BBC

The Turkish national, 44, was arrested at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam on Wednesday, as part of an operation involving the NCA and Dutch and Belgian partners.

From BBC