Slang dictionary
deadass
[ ded-as ]
What does deadass mean?
Deadass is slang for “seriously.” That is, no kidding, for real, we’re deadass not lying to you.
Where does deadass come from?
Deadass surfaces in New York City slang in the late 1990–2000s. It made its Urban Dictionary debut in 2003, defined as “completely and honestly serious.”
Earlier uses of dead-ass include slang for a “boring person” (1960s) or as a general intensifier for “wholly” (1950–60s), as in dead-ass serious, or “extremely serious.” Dead, here, means “completely” and -ass is an intensifying suffix (e.g., My broke-ass roommate). Deadass, then, may have been shortened from an expression like deadass serious or its sense of “seriously” may have grown out of “completely.”
In 2016, deadass spread on the subreddit r/BlackPeopleTwitter. One of the most popular posts, discussing deadass as slang, defined the term as a “question, reaction, and confirmation in NY.” The subreddit also began satirizing a specific type of black New Yorker with a series of image macros featuring the terms deadass, my guy, and Timbs (Timberland boots). The memes migrated from Reddit to social media more broadly, giving more attention to deadass.
Ball Memes
Examples of deadass
Who uses deadass?
Deadass serves as a slang way to emphasize or intensify a statement, functioning like the word seriously or the slang for real, I deadass met Beyoncé at that concert or Dude, deadass?! Which means deadass is typically an adverb. We’re deadass not pulling your leg.
I love my brothers deadass tho
— Ce Ce (@CeCe_Montana) November 6, 2018
I deadass will straighten up for the right one but i guess that isn’t gonna happen anytime soon so you know where to find me
Wildinnnnnnnn🤪
— JD (@TRUE1JD) November 6, 2018
Overuse of deadass, however, may get you made fun of by some in internet culture. As noted, a meme makes fun of certain New Yorkers, featuring Yankees hats, Timberland boots, and phrases like deadass straight facts my guy, all apparently associated with some self-styled hip-forward residents of the Big Apple.
Memedroid
Note
This is not meant to be a formal definition of deadass like most terms we define on Dictionary.com, but is rather an informal word summary that hopefully touches upon the key aspects of the meaning and usage of deadass that will help our users expand their word mastery.