noun Common

Chad

chad

Quiz me More like this

Chad (noun) means slang for a conventionally attractive, confident man, often used somewhat mockingly to describe a stereotypical alpha male. Example: “Online forums joke about "Chads" who seem to succeed effortlessly with women.”

noun

Slang for a conventionally attractive, confident man, often used somewhat mockingly to describe a stereotypical alpha male.

"Online forums joke about "Chads" who seem to succeed effortlessly with women."

"He was mocked for trying too hard to act like a Chad."

A small piece of paper punched out of a ballot, punch card, or perforated stationery.

"Election officials argued over ballots with hanging chads."

"The printer left a trail of tiny chads on the floor."

How to use Chad

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA slang label for a stereotypically attractive, self-assured man, or, unrelatedly, a punched-out scrap of paper (as from a ballot).

When to use it

The "attractive man" sense is internet slang and often used ironically or critically.

Common pairings

hanging chad act like a Chad

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like Chad.

Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.

Start vocabulary practice

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: Chads

Test yourself on “Chad” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Online forums joke about "_____" who seem to succeed effortlessly with women.

Etymology

From the Old English name Ceadda; the "alpha male" slang sense emerged from a stereotype about men named Chad, spreading widely through internet slang in the late 2010s.

Origin: Old English · First attested 2010

Class of 2010 Chad joined the language around 2010.

based bazooka Becky catfish Dougie

See the full Class of 2010 →

Synonyms

View more →

alpha jock hunk stud Chadic

Related words

dog piece block button giant Alpha penis athlete

Rhymes for Chad

had shad Thad

See all rhymes for Chad →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Chad” mean?

The word “Chad” means slang for a conventionally attractive, confident man, often used somewhat mockingly to describe a stereotypical alpha male. In plain terms, a slang label for a stereotypically attractive, self-assured man, or, unrelatedly, a punched-out scrap of paper (as from a ballot).

How do you pronounce “Chad”?

“Chad” is pronounced chad (/t͡ʃæd/ in IPA).

How do you use “Chad” in a sentence?

Here is “Chad” used in a sentence: “Online forums joke about "Chads" who seem to succeed effortlessly with women.”

What part of speech is “Chad”?

“Chad” is a noun.

Where does the word “Chad” come from?

The word “Chad” dates back to around 2010 and comes from Old English. From the Old English name Ceadda; the "alpha male" slang sense emerged from a stereotype about men named Chad, spreading widely through internet slang in the late 2010s.

Is “Chad” a common word?

“Chad” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “Chad” have?

“Chad” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: slang for a conventionally attractive, confident man, often used somewhat mockingly to describe a stereotypical alpha male.

What is a 'hanging chad'?

A "hanging chad" is a small piece of paper that has been only partly punched out of a ballot or punch card and remains attached. The term became widely known in disputed elections, where incompletely removed chads made votes hard to count.

What is the difference between calling someone a 'Chad' and a 'Karen'?

Both are internet slang stereotypes. "Chad" describes a conventionally attractive, confident man, often a stereotypical alpha male, while "Karen" describes an entitled, demanding woman. Both are informal and usually used mockingly.

Is calling someone a Chad a compliment or an insult?

It depends on tone. "Chad" can be used admiringly to mean a confident, attractive man, but it is often used mockingly to poke fun at a stereotypical alpha male. Context and delivery decide whether it is flattering.

People also searched

dog piece block button giant Alpha penis athlete