dukes

British

/ djuːks /

plural noun

slang the fists (esp in the phrase put your dukes up )

"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

Etymology

Origin of dukes

C19: from Duke of Yorks rhyming slang for forks (fingers)

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.

Dukes said she wanted people to "embrace all animals and birds" and hoped the fact that the installation was mobile would help spread the importance of art and creativity.

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026

The Worcester Plinth is displaying a sculpture by Sarah Dukes titled 'The Gulls' which can currently be seen at the play park on Lansdowne Road.

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026

As we longtime Bruin fans always say: Go Dukes!

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 10, 2026

Both Kennedy and Hitschler were wildly successful with the Dukes, their units ranking in the top 10 in the nation in scoring offense and defense, respectively.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 6, 2025

I shift to my knees and lean in close so I can whisper in Freddie’s ear; don’t want Mom Dukes or Mars to hear this part.

From "Odd One Out" by Nic Stone

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023