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

“Yeah, dude. It’s not like I could forget the freaking drum set.”

From Literature

However, he hinted that the Sunshine State never held the same allure for him that it does for his fellow billionaires, adding: “I’m like, dude! Why so much Florida action? Come on, homies.”

From MarketWatch

“I love you” can be the three most difficult words for some dudes to say.

From The Wall Street Journal

At this, America’s hockey dudes laughed dutifully and dude-ily, unaware of how disgusting people would find this tidbit of locker room talk.

From Salon

A perversity in the script is that Frank is a manipulator and a gaslighter but overall a pretty good dude.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• buddy
• chap
• fellow