Dude

/duːd/

nounBeginnerVery CommonGeneral

Definitions

2 meanings
1

An informal term of address for a man, often used between friends or acquaintances.

/duːd/

nounneutralBeginner
General

An informal term for a man.

Hey, dude, want to grab a pizza?

💡 Simply: Dude is like saying 'hey, friend' to a guy. It's super casual, like when you see your buddy at the skate park, 'Dude, check out that trick!'

👶 For kids: Dude means a boy or a man. It's like saying 'hey' to your friend.

More Examples

2

That dude over there is wearing a cool hat.

3

I saw this dude walking down the street.

How It's Used

General conversation

"Hey, dude, how's it going?"

Among friends

"What's up, dude?"

2

An exclamation used to express various emotions, such as surprise, admiration, or agreement.

/duːd/

interjectionneutralBeginner
Legal

An exclamation expressing surprise, admiration, or disapproval.

Dude, that's amazing!

💡 Simply: 'Dude!' is a casual way to show how you feel – like 'Wow!' or 'Cool!'. It's often used when something surprising or impressive happens.

👶 For kids: 'Dude!' is a way to say something like 'Wow!' or 'Cool!'

More Examples

2

Dude, you scared me!

3

Dude, I'm so excited for the concert!

How It's Used

Expressing surprise

"Dude, that was awesome!"

Expressing agreement or understanding

"Dude, I totally get it."

Tip:Imagine a sudden, unexpected event—your immediate reaction might be 'Dude!'

Idioms & expressions

my dude

A term of endearment or friendly greeting.

"My dude, great to see you!"

Originating in the late 19th century in the United States, initially referring to an overdressed or ostentatious man from the Eastern states visiting the West. It evolved in the 20th century to a more general term of address, especially among young men, with connotations of casualness and camaraderie.

Initially used in the late 19th century as a slang term for someone not from the area.

Memory tip

Think of a friend, a 'dude' you would casually greet.

doodd00d

Usage

95%Spoken
5%Written