dada

American  

[dah-dah] / ˈdɑ dɑ /

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.

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Dada British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• Dadaist noun
• Dadaistic adjective
• Dadaistically adverb
• dadaism noun
• dadaist noun
• dadaistic adjective
• dadaistically adverb

Etymology

Origin of dada

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

Example Sentences

Not "dada" or "mama" or "nanny" - but "crocodile", apparently.

From BBC

Where big data, AI, dada, and conceptual art combine.

From Washington Post

Because that would make it about Harry for a split second, God forbid,” she wrote, referencing noises made by the 1-year-old that resembled "dada."

From Fox News

My sweet little boy, dada loves you so much!

From Los Angeles Times

He stopped saying “mama” and “dada” and responding to his name when called.

From Washington Post