noun
Common
dick
dihk
Dick (noun) means Vulgar slang for the penis. Example: “The joke was too crude to repeat.”
noun
1
Vulgar slang for the penis.
"The joke was too crude to repeat."
2
An annoying or contemptible person, especially a man; a jerk.
"He was being a real dick about splitting the bill."
"Don’t be a dick to the new guy."
3
Old-fashioned slang for a detective.
"The private dick tailed the suspect for three days."
"In the old black-and-white film, the dick lit a cigarette and studied the letter."
"My grandfather loved stories about a hard-boiled dick working the city streets at night."
How to use dick
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA crude word for the penis, or slang for someone who’s acting like a jerk.
Common mistake
Distinct from "dickhead," which is stronger and more purely insulting.
When to use it
Vulgar/informal — avoid in polite or professional contexts.
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Word forms
- Plural
- dicks
- Third person singular
- dicks
- Past tense
- dicked
Etymology
Originally a pet form of the name Richard; the insulting and anatomical senses developed later as the name came to stand for "any man" or "everyman."
Related words
Rhymes for dick
See all rhymes for dick →Frequently asked questions
What does it mean to call someone a dick?
Informally, calling someone a dick means they are behaving in a mean, arrogant, selfish, or obnoxious way. It is a rude insult but a fairly mild one, often used casually. Though impolite, this figurative sense is heard far more in everyday speech than the literal anatomical meaning.
Does 'Dick' have other meanings?
Yes. Capitalised, Dick is a traditional nickname for the name Richard. In older slang, a 'dick' also meant a detective, as in the phrase 'private dick.' So depending on context the same spelling can be a name, dated slang for an investigator, or vulgar slang.
What is the meaning of dick?
"dick" (noun) means vulgar slang for the penis.
What is another word for dick?
Other words for "dick" include penis, member, manhood, phallus, gumshoe, hawkshaw.
