dada

[ dah-dah ]

/ ˈdɑ dɑ /

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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.

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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. 2022

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