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. dude up,  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

Other Word Forms

• dudishly adverb
• dudish 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

It was “a tall dude with a flannel ... and blue jeans,” Ejae said.

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When we think about the white guys who care, it isn’t scruffy, banged-up dudes like Lee who come to mind.

Read more on Salon

“He’s a fast dude who can bounce it outside,” Rams edge rusher Jared Verse said.

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“We got a lot of dudes on this team that can score, a lot of dudes on this team that can put the ball in the bucket,” LaRavia said Wednesday at Lakers training camp.

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“And then a year later, he’s like in everything now cause he’s hot and big and everyone’s like, ‘Go the f— away, dude.’”

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Related Words

• buddy 
• chap 
• fellow