noun
Uncommon
bloke
blohk
Bloke (noun) means (British, informal) A man, especially an ordinary or average one. Example: “He seems like a decent bloke.”
noun
1
(British, informal) A man, especially an ordinary or average one.
"As her current bloke was turning out better than expected, I didn't see much of her lately."
— Liz Young i.e, Elizabeth Young (2000)
"No use, with a bloke like this, cracking up your own merits. Stick to the truth."
— George Orwell pseudonym; Eric Arthur Blair (1939)
"He seems like a decent bloke."
"Some bloke at the pub bought us a round of drinks."
"It was a Cockney bloke who had never seen a cow till he came inside. Cragg said it took some blokes like that, and city fellows are the worse."
— Brendan Behan, Borstal Boy (1958)
How to use bloke
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA casual British word for "man" or "guy."
When to use it
Informal and mainly British/Australian; not typically used in American English.
Common pairings
a nice bloke
some bloke
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Word forms
- Plural
- blokes
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He seems like a decent _____.
Etymology
Origin uncertain — possibly borrowed from an Irish or Scottish Gaelic word for a block or stubborn person, or from a Hindustani/Romani word meaning "person."
Related words
Rhymes for bloke
See all rhymes for bloke →Frequently asked questions
What does “bloke” mean?
The word “bloke” means (British, informal) A man, especially an ordinary or average one. In plain terms, a casual British word for "man" or "guy.".
How do you pronounce “bloke”?
“Bloke” is pronounced blohk (/bloʊk/ in IPA).
How do you use “bloke” in a sentence?
Here is “bloke” used in a sentence: “He seems like a decent bloke.”
What part of speech is “bloke”?
“Bloke” is a noun.
Where does the word “bloke” come from?
The word “bloke” comes from Scottish Gaelic. Origin uncertain — possibly borrowed from an Irish or Scottish Gaelic word for a block or stubborn person, or from a Hindustani/Romani word meaning "person.".
Is “bloke” a common word?
“Bloke” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between "bloke" and "guy"?
Both are informal words for a man, but "bloke" is distinctly British English, while "guy" is used across British and American English alike. "Bloke" often carries a slightly more down-to-earth or working-class connotation than the more neutral "guy."
Is "bloke" a formal or informal word?
"Bloke" is informal, used in casual conversation rather than in formal writing or professional contexts. It's the kind of word you'd hear in everyday chat, not in a business report.
Can "bloke" describe any man, or only certain kinds of men?
"Bloke" typically describes an ordinary or average man, with no particular distinguishing traits, making it a casual, general-purpose term for "a man" or "a guy." It doesn't inherently carry negative or positive connotations, though tone can shift its meaning in context.
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