dada

[ dah-dah ]

/ ˈdɑ dɑ /

Save This Word!

noun (sometimes initial capital letter)

the style and techniques of a group of artists, writers, etc., of the early 20th century who exploited accidental and incongruous effects in their work and who programmatically challenged established canons of art, thought, morality, etc.

QUIZ

ARE YOU A TRUE BLUE CHAMPION OF THESE "BLUE" SYNONYMS?

We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.

Question 1 of 8

Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?

navy

beryl

azure

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Origin of dada

1915–20; <French: hobby horse, childish reduplication of da giddyap

OTHER WORDS FROM dada

da·da·ism, nounda·da·ist, nounda·da·is·tic, adjectiveda·da·is·ti·cal·ly, adverb

Words nearby dada

dactyloscopy, -dactylous, dactylus, -dactyly, dad, dada, dadah, Dad and Dave, dad-blamed, dad-blasted, dad bod

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use dada in a sentence

The other day we got in the car and I had a CD on, and he said, “Dada, is that James Brown?”
Kentucky’s Finest Antihero: Walton Goggins on Justified’s Chameleon Villain|Allen Barra|February 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At Performa, Shana Lutker revisits a wild Dada play that featured a nose and some lips.
A Performance Like a Punch in the Face|Blake Gopnik|November 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Carlos Dada, editor of El Faro, believes his detractors protest too much.
El Salvador’s Violence Dips After a Truce Between Gangs and Government|Mac Margolis|April 7, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Was one of Dada's fathers really such a mystery or did he show his true self in his art?
Man Ray Revealed|Philip Gefter|November 12, 2009|DAILY BEAST

Self-Portrait, 1916,” which Man Ray made at the age of 26, is notably considered the “first proto-Dada assemblage.
Man Ray Revealed|Philip Gefter|November 12, 2009|DAILY BEAST
And dada only kissed the weary little faces of the supplicants, and laughed again until the tears ran down his cheeks.
The Harmsworth Magazine, Vol. 1, 1898-1899, No. 6|Various
And we can't go home without a single nugget to buy presents with, or dada'll be sure to whack us.
The Harmsworth Magazine, Vol. 1, 1898-1899, No. 6|Various
Not long after Porphyrius and the philosopher had retired to a private room Herse returned with Dada.
Serapis, Complete|Georg Ebers
Here, Dada—here; take this ring, it has been worn by a woman who once was young and who has had many lovers.
Serapis, Complete|Georg Ebers
She spoke with such earnest conviction that Dada remained silent with downcast eyes, and Karnis sat up to think the matter over.
Serapis, Complete|Georg Ebers

British Dictionary definitions for dada

Dada

Dadaism (ˈdɑːdɑːˌɪzəm)

/ (ˈdɑːdɑː) /

noun

a nihilistic artistic movement of the early 20th century in W Europe and the US, founded on principles of irrationality, incongruity, and irreverence towards accepted aesthetic criteria

Derived forms of Dada

Dadaist, noun, adjectiveDadaistic, adjectiveDadaistically, adverb

Word Origin for Dada

C20: from French, from a children's word for hobbyhorse, the name being arbitrarily chosen

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