dyke

[ dahyk ]

/ daɪk /

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See synonyms for dyke on Thesaurus.com

noun, verb, dyked, dyk·ing.

dike¹.

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Words nearby dyke

dyestuff, dye transfer, dyewood, Dyfed, dying, dyke, dykon, Dylan, Dylan, Bob, dymaxion, dyn

Other definitions for dyke (2 of 2)

dyke²

[ dahyk ]

/ daɪk /

noun Slang: Disparaging and Offensive.

a contemptuous term used to refer to a lesbian.

Also dike .

Origin of dyke

First recorded in 1940–45; earlier in form bulldike (with a variant bulldagger); of obscure origin; claimed to be a shortening of morphodyke (variant of morphodite, a reshaping of hermaphrodite), though morphodyke is more likely a blend of morphodite and a preexisting dyke; other hypothesized connections, such as with diked out or dike “ditch,” are dubious on semantic grounds

usage note for dyke

The terms dyke and bull dyke are used with disparaging intent and are perceived as insulting. However, they have been adopted as positive terms of self-reference by young or radical lesbians and in the academic community. In the mainstream gay community, lesbian and gay remain the terms of choice.

OTHER WORDS FROM dyke

dyk·ey, adjective, dyk·i·er, dyk·i·est.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use dyke in a sentence

She told a story of a fellow employee who identifies as a butch dyke (a lesbian who takes on a more masculine identity).
The LGBT Center That Changed Our Lives|Justin Jones|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It would be fun to talk to the Carl Reiners of the world, going back to Dick Van Dyke.
Jim Rash on ‘The Writers’ Room’ and the Future of ‘Community’|Kevin Fallon|April 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As the car passes the Super All Drugs, Butch Trucks cranes around to stare at a flamboyant leather dyke.
Stacks: Hitting the Note with the Allman Brothers Band|Grover Lewis|March 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When my friend told the cis dyke that she was in fact a trans woman, the cis dyke seemed to immediately lose interest.
The Struggle To Find Trans Love|Julia Serano|January 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST

But Van Dyke has also been the target of blistering criticism from those who see him as less freedom fighter and more war tourist.
War Tourists Flock to Syria’s Front Lines|Ben Taub|November 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The great dyke which kept out arbitrary power had been broken.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay
Dyke Acland's mark is an anchor on the near side of each of his large herd of ponies, on Exmoor.
Notes and Queries, Number 194, July 16, 1853|Various
As we came on board we saw our ambassador, Mr. Van Dyke, tell some of his friends goodbye and wish them Godspeed.
Ways of War and Peace|Delia Austrian
Mr. Van Dyke and his clerks, assisted by boy scouts, were working overtime to gratify all these demands.
Ways of War and Peace|Delia Austrian
A wherry sweeping down the dyke with peak lowered leaves us but scant room to pass as we sail back to Heigham Sounds.
Yachting Vol. 2|Various.

British Dictionary definitions for dyke (1 of 3)

dyke¹

dike

/ (daɪk) /

noun

an embankment constructed to prevent flooding, keep out the sea, etc

a ditch or watercourse

a bank made of earth excavated for and placed alongside a ditch

Scot a wall, esp a dry-stone wall

a barrier or obstruction

a vertical or near-vertical wall-like body of igneous rock intruded into cracks in older rock

Australian and NZ informal

a lavatory
(as modifier)a dyke roll

verb

civil engineering an embankment or wall built to confine a river to a particular course

(tr) to protect, enclose, or drain (land) with a dyke

Word Origin for dyke

C13: modification of Old English dic ditch; compare Old Norse dīki ditch

British Dictionary definitions for dyke (2 of 3)

dyke²

dike

/ (daɪk) /

noun

slang a lesbian

Word Origin for dyke

C20: of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for dyke (3 of 3)

Dyke

/ (dɑɪk) /

noun

Greg (ory). born 1947, British television executive; director-general of the BBC (2000–04)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

dyke

Words nearby dyke

Other definitions for dyke (2 of 2)

Origin of dyke

usage note for dyke

OTHER WORDS FROM dyke

Words related to dyke

How to use dyke in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for dyke (1 of 3)

dike

Word Origin for dyke

British Dictionary definitions for dyke (2 of 3)

dike

Word Origin for dyke

British Dictionary definitions for dyke (3 of 3)