deadass

American  

[ded-as] / ˈdɛdˌæs /

adverb

Slang.

1. genuinely, sincerely, or truly; in fact: This deadass made me laugh in the grocery store.

   I'm deadass about to quote that speech to you.

   This deadass made me laugh in the grocery store.

2. very or extremely: I'm deadass scared of clowns.

   I thought this was going to be a one-time thing, but I was deadass wrong.

   I'm deadass scared of clowns.

---

adjective

Slang.

1. sincere or serious.

   There's no school today, I'm deadass.

interjection

Slang.

1. (used to request confirmation of truth or to express surprise).

   “The new album's dropping tomorrow.” “Deadass?”

Etymology

Origin of deadass

First recorded in 1960–65; dead ( def. ) (in the adverbial sense “completely”) + -ass ( def. )

Example Sentences

She went on to say she supported Sea World and the Iraq War, was responsible for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and wasn’t very smart: “I’ll deadass bite a worm on a hook,” she said.

From New York Times • Oct. 9, 2022