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• dick
  dick

  noun

  a detective.
• Dick
  Dick

  noun

  George Frederick, 1881–1967, U.S. internist.

dick

¹ American  

[dik] / dɪk /

noun

Slang.

1. Older Use. a detective.

2. Vulgar. penis.

3. Vulgar. a stupid, mean, or contemptible person, especially a man.

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Dick ² American  

[dik] / dɪk /

noun

1. George Frederick, 1881–1967, U.S. internist.

2. Philip K., 1928–82, U.S. science-fiction writer.

3. a male given name, form of Richard.

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dick ¹ British  

/ dɪk /

noun

1. a fellow or person

2. a person who is obnoxiously opinionated or self-satisfied; know-all

3. a slang word for penis

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dick ² British  

/ dɪk /

noun

1. a slang word for detective

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Dick Scientific  

/ dĭk /

1. American medical researcher who collaborated with his wife, Gladys Henry Dick (1881–1963), to isolate the bacterium that causes scarlet fever. They developed a serum for the disease in 1923.

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Dick Idioms  

1. see every tom, dick, and harry.

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Usage

The third sense of this word was formerly considered to be taboo and it was labelled as such in previous editions of Collins English Dictionary . However, it has now become acceptable in speech, although some older or more conservative people may object to its use

Etymology

Origin of dick

First recorded in 1545–55; generic use of the name Dick ( def. )

Explanation

Dick is a vulgar slang word for a penis. It's also an insulting thing to call someone you don't like, especially a boy or man. Much like ass, this word for a below-the-belt body part is very commonly used as an insult meaning pretty much "jerk" or "idiot." Only males have dicks, and this insult is usually used toward a guy who is "acting like a dick." Lots of people find this word offensive, especially parents, teachers, and other adults. If you have to discuss a dick, you're better off saying penis or using a slang word that's sillier and less offensive, like johnson.

Example Sentences

But she also made her name on what the journalist Jim Rutenberg called “Megyn moments,” in which she’d pick an argument with conservative guests—Tom Tancredo, Dick Cheney—who came on her show expecting a softball interview.

From Slate • May 6, 2026

Buzzard-Quashie reported what she had seen to both London's Mayor, Sir Sadiq Khan, and the then commissioner of the Met Police, Dame Cressida Dick.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

Family sitcoms like “The Donna Reed Show” and “The Dick Van Dyke Show” continued with this tradition into the 1960s, but as sitcom story concepts became more complex, the medium required more from show openers.

From Salon • Apr. 25, 2026

Dick ordered Edward and Glenn Juenke, the night watchman, to begin evacuating Bug House and two other cabins by the river.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

Dick said, “Be funny if we had a smash-up.”

From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote

Related Words

• agent
• informer
• police officer
• private eye
• private investigator
• prosecutor
• reporter
• sleuth
• spy