dick
noun
a detective.
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dick
1 American
[dik]
/ dɪk /
noun
Slang.
-
dicks
plural
-
Older Use. a detective.
-
Vulgar. penis.
-
Vulgar. a stupid, mean, or contemptible person, especially a man.
Dick
2
American
[dik]
/ dɪk /
noun
-
George Frederick, 1881–1967, U.S. internist.
-
Philip K., 1928–82, U.S. science-fiction writer.
-
a male given name, form of Richard.
dick
1
British
/ dɪk /
noun
-
a fellow or person
-
a person who is obnoxiously opinionated or self-satisfied; know-all
-
a slang word for penis
dick
2
British
/ dɪk /
noun
Dick
Scientific
/ dĭk /
Dick
Idioms
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
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
"Lennon was as friendly as could be, not flippant or jokey or clever dick, treating his young interviewer's questions with respect, which of course makes his answers interesting."
From BBC ● Jun. 23, 2022
My biggest beef with Forgotten Land is that, as a heretofore non-Kirby player, Kirby kinda comes off as a dick.
From The Verge ● Mar. 23, 2022
With the announcement on Thursday by the ACM, dick clark productions and CBS, Guyton will make history as the first Black woman to host the country awards show.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 11, 2021
The Academy of Country Music, dick clark productions, and CBS announced the nominations on Friday, which honors some of the biggest talent and rising stars within country music.
From Fox News ● Feb. 26, 2021
“Yeah, well. It was pretty funny. And plus Colin was being sort of a dick and needed to be taken down a peg.”
From "An Abundance of Katherines" by John Green
He has backed a 10% cap on credit-card interest rates and sponsored a bill with Illinois Democrat Dick Durbin to regulate credit-card payment networks.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 1, 2026
Finally, be sure to check out the Gemini 11 capsule, which set an altitude record of 850 miles when it took astronauts Dick Gordon and Pete Conrad into space in 1966.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2026
They explore how Woodward’s relationship with friend and key source Dick Darman collapsed, journalistic ethics, and whether reporters can really be friends with sources.
From Slate ● Oct. 22, 2026
Standing alongside legendary astronauts like Neil Armstrong and Dick Gordon, a schoolboy from Lancashire was there to see the final manned lunar landing mission.
From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026
I said, Fain would I alter the Past and keep Dick Sharpe from our Company.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson
Other types of plants — bulbs and perennial herbs like blue dicks, onions and larkspur — are “starting to ramp up” now, she said.
From New York Times ● Apr. 21, 2023
Flowers include “desert dandelions, blue dicks, desert or wild parsley, and red maids,” according to the parks department, as well as blooming Joshua trees and bladderpod.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 7, 2023
Feminists weren’t literally going to steal their dicks and hide them in trees, as medieval witches were said to do, but that did turn out to be a surprisingly apt metaphor for their work.
From The Guardian ● Aug. 7, 2019
He’s the ghost of Christmas past gone wrong, singing with his show-host permasmile and completely missing the irony, while somehow shaming the seasonally disgruntled into feeling like dicks for not having a good time.
From Salon ● Nov. 30, 2018
When tute cams to dick lende nestist to latch yeck o' lende; but when tute's penching o' wafor covars tute dicks o' lende dosta dosta.
From Romano Lavo-Lil: word book of the Romany; or, English Gypsy language by George Henry Borrow
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
