dude

American  

[dood, dyood] / dud, dyud /

noun

1. a man excessively concerned with his clothes, grooming, and manners.

2. Slang

   1. a fellow; chap.

   2. (a general term of address used to a man, woman, or group).

3. a person reared in a large city.

4. Western U.S. an urban Easterner who vacations on a ranch.

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interjection

1. Slang (an expression of shock, approval, sympathy, or other strong feeling).

   Dude! That's one expensive sandwich!

verb phrase

1. dude up to dress in one's fanciest, best, or most stylish clothes; dress up.

   He got all duded up to go to the dance.

dude British  

/ duːd, djuːd /

noun

1. a city dweller, esp one holidaying on a ranch

2. a dandy

3. a person: often used to any male in direct address

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Other Word Forms

• dudish adjective
• dudishly adverb

Etymology

Origin of dude

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

He made sure he had a GoPro on his foot and set cameras up — dude really wants to make it.

From Los Angeles Times

And I worked with all the dudes, Stoney and all those guys, and Diane Lane, who was, I don’t know, 19 years old or something.

From Los Angeles Times

This is just one thing that happened to this one dude.

From Los Angeles Times

"He's a resilient dude and a competitor. A winner," Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald told AFP.

From Barron's

A handwritten sign quoted Good’s last words: “I’m not mad at you, dude.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• buddy
• chap
• fellow