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noun Common

Kevin

KEH-vihn
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Kevin (noun) means British slang, often disparaging: a stereotype of an unsophisticated or unfashionable young working-class man. Example: “The comedian played "Kevin", a sneering teenage caricature.”

noun
1
British slang, often disparaging: a stereotype of an unsophisticated or unfashionable young working-class man.
"The comedian played "Kevin", a sneering teenage caricature."

How to use Kevin

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA slang put-down stereotyping a certain kind of young man, distinct from ordinary use of the personal name Kevin.

When to use it

Informal and potentially mocking or classist; context makes clear whether it's just the name or the stereotype.

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Word forms

Plural
Kevins
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Fill the gap

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The comedian played "_____", a sneering teenage caricature.

Etymology

From the Irish given name Kevin (from Old Irish Cóemgén, "fair-born"), which became a slang stereotype in British English in the late 20th century, partly popularized by a Harry Enfield comedy character.

Origin: Old Irish · First attested 1900

Class of 1900 Kevin joined the language around 1900.
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Synonyms

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chav yob lout lad

Related words

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Rhymes for Kevin

levin Devin
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Frequently asked questions

What does “Kevin” mean?
The word “Kevin” means british slang, often disparaging: a stereotype of an unsophisticated or unfashionable young working-class man. In plain terms, a slang put-down stereotyping a certain kind of young man, distinct from ordinary use of the personal name Kevin.
How do you pronounce “Kevin”?
“Kevin” is pronounced KEH-vihn (/ˈkɛvɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “Kevin” in a sentence?
Here is “Kevin” used in a sentence: “The comedian played "Kevin", a sneering teenage caricature.”
What part of speech is “Kevin”?
“Kevin” is a noun.
Where does the word “Kevin” come from?
The word “Kevin” dates back to around 1900 and comes from Old Irish. From the Irish given name Kevin (from Old Irish Cóemgén, "fair-born"), which became a slang stereotype in British English in the late 20th century, partly popularized by a Harry Enfield comedy character.
Is “Kevin” a common word?
“Kevin” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What does it mean to call someone a Kevin?
In British slang it labels someone as the stereotype of an unsophisticated, unfashionable young working-class man — loud, immature, or lacking taste. It is disparaging and unflattering rather than a neutral description. The image was popularized by Harry Enfield's bratty "Kevin the Teenager" character in the 1990s.
Is calling someone a Kevin offensive?
It can be. Used lightly among friends it may be teasing, but as a label for a whole social type it is dismissive and looks down on someone's background, taste, or intelligence. Because it mocks class and status, many people find it snobbish or insulting, so it is best used with care.
Where does the slang term Kevin come from?
The name became a punchline partly through Harry Enfield's 1990s comedy character "Kevin the Teenager," a sulky, tantrum-prone youth. Over time "Kevin" attached itself to a broader class-based stereotype in Britain. Interestingly, several other countries use ordinary first names in a similar mocking way to signal the same social type.

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