dick

[ dik ]
See synonyms for dick on Thesaurus.com
nounSlang.
  1. Older Use. a detective.

  2. Vulgar. penis.

  1. Vulgar. a stupid, mean, or contemptible person, especially a man.

Origin of dick

1
First recorded in 1545–55; generic use of the name Dick

Words Nearby dick

Other definitions for Dick (2 of 2)

Dick
[ dik ]

noun
  1. George Frederick, 1881–1967, U.S. internist.

  2. Philip K., 1928–82, U.S. science-fiction writer.

  1. a male given name, form of Richard.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use dick in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for dick (1 of 2)

dick1

/ (dɪk) /


noun
  1. mainly US a slang word for detective

Origin of dick

1
C20: by shortening and alteration from detective; probably influenced by proper name Dick

British Dictionary definitions for dick (2 of 2)

dick2

/ (dɪk) /


nounslang
  1. British a fellow or person

  2. clever dick British a person who is obnoxiously opinionated or self-satisfied; know-all

  1. a slang word for penis

Origin of dick

2
C16 (meaning: fellow): from the name Dick, familiar form of Richard, applied generally (like Jack) to any fellow, lad, etc; hence, C19: penis

usage For dick

The third sense of this word was formerly considered to be taboo and it was labelled as such in previous editions of Collins English Dictionary . However, it has now become acceptable in speech, although some older or more conservative people may object to its use

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for Dick

Dick

[ dĭk ]


  1. American medical researcher who collaborated with his wife, Gladys Henry Dick (1881-1963), to isolate the bacterium that causes scarlet fever. They developed a serum for the disease in 1923.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Other Idioms and Phrases with dick

dick

see every tom, dick, and harry.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.