noun

ese

EH-say

Ese (noun) means an informal, chiefly Mexican-American term of address for a man, roughly equivalent to "dude" or "man.". Example: “What's up, ese?" he called out to his friend across the street.”

noun

An informal, chiefly Mexican-American term of address for a man, roughly equivalent to "dude" or "man."

""What's up, ese?" he called out to his friend across the street."

How to use ese

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA casual way of addressing a man, similar to "dude" or "man," used in some Mexican-American communities.

When to use it

Informal slang, mostly used in speech among friends — not appropriate in formal writing.

Word forms

eses plural

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Fill the gap

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"What's up, _____?" he called out to his friend across the street.

Etymology

Borrowed from Mexican Spanish ése, literally "that one."

Origin: Spanish

Synonyms

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east southeast

Rhymes for ese

obese Reese cheese Cleese Chinese Burmese diocese Siamese Maltese Japanese Sudanese Lebanese

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Frequently asked questions

What does “ese” mean?

The word “ese” means an informal, chiefly Mexican-American term of address for a man, roughly equivalent to "dude" or "man.". In plain terms, a casual way of addressing a man, similar to "dude" or "man," used in some Mexican-American communities.

How do you pronounce “ese”?

“Ese” is pronounced EH-say (/ˈɛˌseɪ/ in IPA).

How do you use “ese” in a sentence?

Here is “ese” used in a sentence: “"What's up, ese?" he called out to his friend across the street.”

What part of speech is “ese”?

“Ese” is a noun.

Where does the word “ese” come from?

The word “ese” comes from Spanish. Borrowed from Mexican Spanish ése, literally "that one.".

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Vocabulary lists that include ese:

Words with Spanish origins