Dutch

[duhch]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the natives or inhabitants of the Netherlands or their country or language.

2. pertaining to or designating the style of painting and subject matter developed in the Netherlands during the 17th century, chiefly characterized by the use of chiaroscuro, muted tones, naturalistic colors or forms, and of genre, landscape, or still-life subjects drawn from contemporary urban and rural life.

3. of, relating to, or characteristic of the Pennsylvania Dutch.

4. Archaic.,  German; Teutonic.

noun

1. the people of the Netherlands and their immediate descendants elsewhere, collectively.

2. Pennsylvania Dutch.

3. Also called Netherlandic. the Germanic language of the Netherlands and northern Belgium. D, D.

4. Obsolete.,  the German language.

Dutch

¹

/ dʌtʃ /

noun

1. the language of the Netherlands, belonging to the West Germanic branch of the Indo-European family and quite closely related to German and English See also Flemish Afrikaans

2. (functioning as plural) the natives, citizens, or inhabitants of the Netherlands

3. See Pennsylvania Dutch

4. See double Dutch

5. slang,  in trouble

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the Netherlands, its inhabitants, or their language

adverb

1. informal,  to share expenses equally

dutch

²

/ dʌtʃ /

noun

1. slang,  wife

Sensitive Note

The idioms go Dutch (related to Dutch treat ) and in Dutch (which uses Dutch to mean “trouble”) are both sometimes perceived as insulting to or by the Dutch. In addition, the adjective Dutch is found in a few other set phrases ( Dutch courage, Dutch gold, and Dutch uncle ) in which it implies that something Dutch is not authentic. Although insulting a particular person or nationality may be unintentional, it is best to be aware that use of these terms is sometimes perceived as offensive to or by the Dutch.

Other Word Forms

• pre-Dutch adjective
• pseudo-Dutch adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Dutch¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English Duch, from Middle Dutch duutsch “Dutch, German(ic),” Old High German diutisc “popular, vulgar (language)” (as opposed to learned Latin), translation of Latin (lingua) vulgāris “popular (language)”

Word History and Origins

Origin of Dutch¹

C19: short for duchess

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. go Dutch, to have each person pay their own expenses: Also go dutch

   a dinner where everyone goes Dutch.

2. in Dutch, in trouble or disfavor (with someone).

   in Dutch with the teacher for disturbing the class.

More idioms and phrases containing Dutch

• beat all (the Dutch)
• double Dutch
• in Dutch

Example Sentences

The Dutch historian wrote on social media that the decision had come "from the highest levels within the BBC".

Read more on BBC

The Brazilian had scored 24 goals and provided 22 assists in two seasons for the Dutch club.

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Piastri's slump in form since he won the Dutch Grand Prix to take his seventh victory of the season in 15 races is indeed remarkable.

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Dutch bank ABN Amro plans to slash thousands of jobs and sell its personal loans subsidiary as part of its new strategic plan to boost profitability and capital returns in the next three years.

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"We met with Dutch police on 1 October, where information relating to that 2024 fixture was shared with us."

Read more on BBC