noun
Uncommon
cad
kad
Cad (noun) means (dated) A man who behaves dishonorably, especially toward women. Example: “He was branded a cad after abandoning her at the altar.”
noun
1
(dated) A man who behaves dishonorably, especially toward women.
"He was branded a cad after abandoning her at the altar."
How to use cad
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old-fashioned word for an ungentlemanly, dishonest man, especially one who mistreats women.
When to use it
Now mostly used humorously or in period settings.
Common pairings
a bit of a cad
act like a cad
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Word forms
- Plural
- cads
- Third person singular
- cads
- Past tense
- cadded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He was branded a _____ after abandoning her at the altar.
Etymology
Shortened from "caddie," ultimately from French cadet, meaning "chief" or "captain" in an older dialect form.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “cad” mean?
The word “cad” means (dated) A man who behaves dishonorably, especially toward women. In plain terms, an old-fashioned word for an ungentlemanly, dishonest man, especially one who mistreats women.
How do you pronounce “cad”?
“Cad” is pronounced kad (/kæd/ in IPA).
How do you use “cad” in a sentence?
Here is “cad” used in a sentence: “He was branded a cad after abandoning her at the altar.”
What part of speech is “cad”?
“Cad” is a noun.
Where does the word “cad” come from?
The word “cad” comes from French. Shortened from "caddie," ultimately from French cadet, meaning "chief" or "captain" in an older dialect form.
Is “cad” a common word?
“Cad” is an uncommon word in modern English.
