noun
Common
da
dah
Da (noun) means an informal or dialect word for "father.". Example: “He still calls his father "Da" even as an adult.”
noun
1
An informal or dialect word for "father."
"I was twelve when the das started killing themselves all around me"
— CMAT, Euro-Country (2025)
"Oh where is yer da son? The man said it to me and was grumpy. Is yer da here?"
— James Kelman, Kieron Smith (2008)
"He still calls his father "Da" even as an adult."
"Once the silky gent who ran a barge called the Knuckle Sandwich tried to persuade Borglum's ma and da to sell him their little dwarfish boy for twelve gold coins."
— Philip Reeve, Scrivener's Moon (2011)
"My da taught me how to fish when I was a boy."
"Ask your da whether he can give us a lift home."
intj
1
Yes (used in some dialects and in transliterating other languages, such as Russian).
""Da," the officer replied, nodding curtly."
"Do you speak Russian? Da, a little, my grandmother taught me."
""Da, I understand," said the guide, switching to his own language."
How to use da
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA short, informal word meaning either "father" or "yes," depending on dialect or context.
When to use it
The "father" sense is regional/informal, common in Irish, Scottish, and some English dialects.
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Word forms
- Plural
- das
Fill the gap
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He still calls his father "_____" even as an adult.
Etymology
From early childhood speech — one of the simplest sounds a baby can make — related to "dad" and "dada."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “da” mean?
The word “da” means an informal or dialect word for "father.". In plain terms, a short, informal word meaning either "father" or "yes," depending on dialect or context.
How do you pronounce “da”?
“Da” is pronounced dah (/dɑː/ in IPA).
How do you use “da” in a sentence?
Here is “da” used in a sentence: “He still calls his father "Da" even as an adult.”
What is the opposite of “da”?
The opposite of “da” — its antonyms — is nyet.
What part of speech is “da”?
Depending on how it is used, “da” can be a noun and an intj.
Is “da” a common word?
“Da” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “da” have?
“Da” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an informal or dialect word for "father.".
What is the difference between da and dad?
They mean the same thing — one's father — but 'da' is a regional and dialect form, while 'dad' is the standard informal word across English. 'Da' is especially associated with Irish, Welsh, and northern English speech. Both are warm and casual, used in place of the more formal 'father.'
Where is the word da used?
'Da' for father is heard mainly in Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and parts of northern England, where it is an everyday, affectionate term. Similar-sounding words for father appear across many languages, such as 'papa' and 'dada.' In writing, 'da' often signals a regional voice or a character's local dialect.
Is da the same as the baby word dada?
They are related but not identical. 'Dada' is one of the first sounds many babies make and is used by very young children everywhere. 'Da' is a settled dialect word for father, used by speakers of all ages in certain regions, not just infants. Both are informal and affectionate terms.
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