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

Journalists watched a string of Dutch and German jets capable of carrying tactical nuclear payloads streak into the skies.

Read more on Barron's

"This won't be their first heist," Dutch art detective Arthur Brand said on Monday.

Read more on BBC

Dutch police said Tuesday they had arrested more than 200 fans of Italian club Napoli ahead of a "high-risk" Champions League clash against PSV Eindhoven.

Read more on Barron's

Dutch art detective Arthur Brand told the BBC he feared the jewels may already be "long gone", having been broken up into hundreds of parts.

Read more on BBC

Under the contract, Artec will deliver 150 Schakal infantry fighting vehicles to the German armed forces, and 72 to the Dutch military.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal