dick: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium-High (in informal speech), Low (in formal contexts)Vulgar, Informal, Slang
Quick answer
What does “dick” mean?
The male sexual organ.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The male sexual organ; a penis.
A slang term for a detective; also used as a pejorative term for an annoying, foolish, or contemptible man.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties share the core vulgar meaning and the pejorative sense for a person. The 'detective' meaning is slightly more associated with American English from hard-boiled fiction. British English also uses 'dick' in phrases like 'dickhead' as a common insult.
Connotations
Equally strong and vulgar in both varieties. The anatomical meaning is primary and highly charged.
Frequency
Usage frequency in informal settings is similar. In the UK, it may appear slightly more often in comedic or laddish banter (e.g., 'You're such a dick!').
Grammar
How to Use “dick” in a Sentence
[Verb] + around/about (He's just dicking around).Call + [Person] + a dick (They called him a dick).Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dick” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Stop dicking about and help me move this sofa.
American English
- He spent the afternoon dicking around on his phone instead of working.
adjective
British English
- That was a really dick move, taking the last biscuit.
American English
- Pulling a prank like that is just dick behavior.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely inappropriate and unprofessional. Would constitute serious misconduct.
Academic
Taboo, except in specific contexts like linguistic, sociological, or gender studies discussing the term itself.
Everyday
Common in very casual, often male-dominated, informal settings among close friends. Highly offensive if used carelessly.
Technical
Not used in technical fields, except as a proper noun (e.g., Dick's Sporting Goods).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dick”
- Using it in any formal context.
- Assuming the 'detective' meaning is the primary or neutral one.
- Overusing it as an insult among non-intimate acquaintances.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Only in very informal settings with people you know well and who share the same level of coarse humor. It is never acceptable in professional, academic, or public formal discourse.
Both are vulgar synonyms for 'penis' and insults for an unpleasant man. 'Prick' can sometimes imply a more specifically mean-spirited or malicious person, while 'dick' often implies foolishness or obnoxiousness.
Extremely rarely and only as the insult ('She's being a total dick'). This usage is grammatically possible but highly unconventional and would be very jarring.
No, it is etymologically unrelated. The nickname 'Dick' derives from 'Rick', a rhyming shorthand for 'Richard'. The slang term 'dick' for penis likely comes from the generic use of common male names (like 'john' or 'willy') for the penis.
The male sexual organ.
Dick is usually vulgar, informal, slang in register.
Dick: in British English it is pronounced /dɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /dɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “dick around/about (to waste time)”
- “a dick-measuring contest (a futile competition for dominance)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the common nickname 'Dick' for 'Richard'. Remember that calling someone 'a dick' means comparing their unpleasant behaviour to the vulgar slang term.
Conceptual Metaphor
PENIS IS A TOOL FOR DOMINANCE / FOOLISH PERSON IS A PENIS.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a correct usage of 'dick' as a verb?