Dutch

American  

[duhch] / dʌtʃ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the natives or inhabitants of the Netherlands or their country or language.

2. pertaining to or designating the style of painting and subject matter developed in the Netherlands during the 17th century, chiefly characterized by the use of chiaroscuro, muted tones, naturalistic colors or forms, and of genre, landscape, or still-life subjects drawn from contemporary urban and rural life.

3. of, relating to, or characteristic of the Pennsylvania Dutch.

4. Archaic.  German; Teutonic.

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noun

1. the people of the Netherlands and their immediate descendants elsewhere, collectively.

2. Pennsylvania Dutch.

3. Also called Netherlandic.  the Germanic language of the Netherlands and northern Belgium. D, D.

4. Obsolete.  the German language.

idioms

1. go Dutch,  to have each person pay their own expenses: Also go dutch

   a dinner where everyone goes Dutch.

2. in Dutch,  in trouble or disfavor (with someone).

   in Dutch with the teacher for disturbing the class.

Dutch ¹ British  

/ dʌtʃ /

noun

1. the language of the Netherlands, belonging to the West Germanic branch of the Indo-European family and quite closely related to German and English See also Flemish Afrikaans

2. (functioning as plural) the natives, citizens, or inhabitants of the Netherlands

3. See Pennsylvania Dutch

4. See double Dutch

5. slang  in trouble

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the Netherlands, its inhabitants, or their language

adverb

1. informal  to share expenses equally

dutch ² British  

/ dʌtʃ /

noun

1. slang  wife

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Dutch More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing Dutch

• beat all (the Dutch)
• double Dutch
• in Dutch

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Sensitive Note

The idioms go Dutch (related to Dutch treat ) and in Dutch (which uses Dutch to mean “trouble”) are both sometimes perceived as insulting to or by the Dutch. In addition, the adjective Dutch is found in a few other set phrases ( Dutch courage, Dutch gold, and Dutch uncle ) in which it implies that something Dutch is not authentic. Although insulting a particular person or nationality may be unintentional, it is best to be aware that use of these terms is sometimes perceived as offensive to or by the Dutch.

Other Word Forms

• pre-Dutch adjective
• pseudo-Dutch adjective

Etymology

Origin of Dutch

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English Duch, from Middle Dutch duutsch “Dutch, German(ic),” Old High German diutisc “popular, vulgar (language)” (as opposed to learned Latin), translation of Latin (lingua) vulgāris “popular (language)”

Example Sentences

Back in August, after the Dutch Grand Prix, Verstappen seemed more likely to trade in his car for a bicycle than to contend for the world championship.

From The Wall Street Journal

The police evaluation was based primarily on information given to the force by Dutch police commanders ahead of the game, the MPs heard.

From BBC

He looked like a champion elect when his victory in the Dutch Grand Prix, in addition to Norris' retirement with a fuel-line failure, gave Piastri a 34-point lead in the championship.

From BBC

In laying out the workings of a traditional Dutch windmill, for instance, he conjures a fictional miller, “a congenial fellow” who “knocks out his pipe on the door frame” before getting to work.

From The Wall Street Journal

Harnett adopted the traditional pyramidal structure of Dutch tabletop paintings for “Ease,” at 48 by 60 inches one of his largest and most ambitious works.

From The Wall Street Journal