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dorky

American  
[dawr-kee] / ˈdɔr ki /

adjective

Slang.
dorkier, dorkiest
  1. stupid, inept, or unfashionable.


Etymology

Origin of dorky

dork + -y 1


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

While Mr. Richman’s vocals retained punk’s nasal, monochromatic tone, his songs were dorky and witty, channeling Buddy Holly, Gene Vincent and Freddie and the Dreamers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026

Meanwhile, Luke Winkie talked with several newly minted fans who never cared about the sport—until they discovered Norway’s delightfully dorky star player Erling Haaland.

From Slate ● Jul. 10, 2026

“He’s a dorky dad who loves his kids,” Kane wrote in a comment.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 19, 2026

I didn’t even mind the dorky dancing in front of taxi cabs during Wednesday night’s ridiculous Netflix Yankees-Giants opener.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 26, 2026

I told Doris about it, in one of our sessions, and she was overjoyed in that dorky way of therapists.

From "The Science of Breakable Things" by Tae Keller

Is there anything dorkier and more boringly domestic than an allowance?

From Slate ● Mar. 7, 2018

The teacher was flummoxed until she saw a flood of Rainbow Loom jewelry pour out of a shy kid’s backpack: He and his dorkier classmates were buying bracelets off the student royalty.

From Slate ● Dec. 19, 2013

Pitch "One Direction for adolescent girls who prefer their guys a little on the dorkier side" is what Atlantic magazine said.

From The Guardian ● Apr. 6, 2013

The best manifestation of this is in the relationship between two characters named Demetri and Eli, who start the series as the dorkiest of the dorks.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 18, 2021

Or we’d learn at the very least that this is the awkwardness that passes for seduction in the dorkiest Zip codes of the land.

From Washington Post ● Jul. 13, 2018

My favorite routine—and dorkiest, by far—is a DIY “turn-down service.”

From Time ● Dec. 18, 2015

And, speaking here as the dorkiest of Dorky Observers, deep in our heart of hearts, that feels kind of excellent.

From Slate ● Nov. 20, 2013

Dimple could see her trying to fit the two pieces together: The respect that Rishi’s dad obviously garnered combined with the fact that Rishi was absolutely the dorkiest guy she’d ever known.

From "When Dimple Met Rishi" by Sandhya Menon

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