dude
Americannoun
-
a man excessively concerned with his clothes, grooming, and manners.
-
Slang
-
a fellow; chap.
-
(a general term of address used to a man, woman, or group).
-
-
a person reared in a large city.
-
Western U.S. an urban Easterner who vacations on a ranch.
interjection
verb phrase
noun
-
a city dweller, esp one holidaying on a ranch
-
a dandy
-
a person: often used to any male in direct address
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of dude
An Americanism dating back to 1880–85; origin uncertain
Explanation
Dude is a slang greeting term between men, meaning "guy" or "man." For example: "Dude! So, like, what's up?" It's been popularized by movies and TV shows, and has a distinctive whiff of American West Coast hippie culture to it. In the American nineteenth century dude had another life as a term for a dandy — a particularly well-groomed and fancily-dressed young man. From this came the term of dude as meaning a big city dweller unfamiliar with the ways of the Wild West. When such types came out West to enjoy the rugged life, they stayed in "dude ranches," basically resorts or spas, not real working ranches, and the term is still around today.
Vocabulary lists containing dude
Least Presidential Vocabulary Used by Presidential Candidates during the GOP Debate (Sept. 16, 2015)
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Ben Zimmer's 30 Great American Words
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
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.
Now creators such as the sports stunt group Dude Perfect have their own studios.
From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2026
Kangfrvr, formerly sosho: Dude, we did some crazy stuff.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 10, 2025
Most importantly, New England has found its next Dude.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 28, 2025
It was around this time that he stumbled across a YouTube video of Odell Beckham, Jr. performing trick shots with a group of A&M alums who make up the sports-comedy team Dude Perfect.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 22, 2025
Jason flashed him a look like, Dude, enough.
From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
