dyke
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for dyke, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A raised bank of earth or stone built to hold back water and prevent flooding.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use dyke
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
The word is also used, sometimes as a slur and sometimes reclaimed within the LGBTQ+ community, as slang for a lesbian — that sense is highly context-dependent and can be offensive outside of self-description.
Etymology
A variant spelling of "dike", tracing back through Middle English to Old Norse díki, meaning a ditch.
Full origin of dyke →Frequently asked questions
What does “dyke” mean?
The word “dyke” means a raised bank of earth or stone built to hold back water and prevent flooding. In plain terms, a wall or bank of earth built to stop water flooding onto land, or the ditch dug alongside it.
How do you pronounce “dyke”?
“Dyke” is pronounced DYK (/ˈdaɪ̯k/ in IPA).
How do you use “dyke” in a sentence?
Here is “dyke” used in a sentence: “The Dutch have relied on dykes for centuries to keep the sea out.”
What is another word for “dyke”?
Words with a similar meaning to “dyke” include ditch, trench, fosse, bank, embankment and earthwork.
What part of speech is “dyke”?
Depending on how it is used, “dyke” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “dyke” come from?
The word “dyke” comes from Middle English. A variant spelling of "dike", tracing back through Middle English to Old Norse díki, meaning a ditch.
Is “dyke” a common word?
“Dyke” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “dyke” have?
“Dyke” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a raised bank of earth or stone built to hold back water and prevent flooding.