dickens: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, slightly dated
Quick answer
What does “dickens” mean?
Used as a mild expletive or intensifier to express surprise, annoyance, or emphasis.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Used as a mild expletive or intensifier to express surprise, annoyance, or emphasis.
Primarily appears in the set phrase 'What/Who/Where the dickens...' as a euphemistic substitution for 'devil'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is virtually identical and equally dated/infrequent in both varieties.
Connotations
Old-fashioned, quaint, possibly used humorously to sound deliberately archaic or polite.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in contemporary speech; more likely found in classic literature or period dramas.
Grammar
How to Use “dickens” in a Sentence
[What/Who/Where/Why/How] the dickens + [clause]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Only in literary analysis of older texts (e.g., Shakespeare).
Everyday
Extremely rare; if used, it's for humorous or ironic effect.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dickens”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dickens”
- Using it as a noun referring to a person (e.g., 'He's a real dickens').
- Confusing it with the surname Dickens.
- Using it outside the fixed '[wh-word] the dickens' structure.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is etymologically unrelated. The expletive predates Charles Dickens and is a euphemism for 'devil'.
No, it is a very mild, old-fashioned euphemism. It is far less strong than synonyms like 'the hell' or 'the fuck'.
You can, but it will sound very old-fashioned or deliberately humorous. Most modern speakers would use 'the hell', 'on earth', or 'the heck'.
Yes, but they are archaic. You might find 'raise the dickens' (to cause a commotion) in very old texts.
Used as a mild expletive or intensifier to express surprise, annoyance, or emphasis.
Dickens is usually informal, slightly dated in register.
Dickens: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɪkɪnz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɪkənz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “play the dickens with something (to cause trouble or damage)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of Charles Dickens writing a surprising plot twist and exclaiming, 'What the dickens is happening here?'
Conceptual Metaphor
A SUBSTITUTE FOR A TABOO CONCEPT IS A PROPER NAME.
Practice
Quiz
In which of these sentences is 'dickens' used correctly?