dude

[dood, dyood]

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.

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

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• dudishly adverb
• dudish adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dude¹

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of dude¹

C19: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

“Have you ever had f— people stand up at your parents’ house because you’re over here in Los Angeles doing everything, dude, that’s the f— guy I am.”

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I’m like, “dude, I don’t have any idea. Just make sure you get on stage a lot.”

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“You don’t think that it’s his 23rd year. The dude’s a machine.”

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The prey may change — the planets, too, their digital backdrops swirling like screensavers — but take comfort in knowing that when it comes to a “Predator” movie, we’re still talking about a dude in a suit.

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It’s a badge of honor to be called a surfer dude.

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Related Words

• buddy 
• chap 
• fellow