dicky: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Informal, British (for 'faulty' sense); dated fashion/archaic (for clothing sense); informal automotive.
Quick answer
What does “dicky” mean?
A small separate shirt-front or blouse.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small separate shirt-front or blouse; also, a false shirt-front, often starched.
It can refer to something that is faulty, unsound, or not working properly (especially in British informal use, as in 'dicky heart'). Can also colloquially mean the passenger seat of a two-seater vehicle, especially a motorcycle or sports car.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The informal adjective meaning 'faulty' ('a dicky knee', 'feeling a bit dicky') is predominantly British. The clothing sense is understood historically in both. The automotive sense ('riding in the dicky') is more common in British historical/period contexts.
Connotations
In BrE: informal, often slightly humorous or euphemistic for a bodily ailment. In AmE: primarily archaic/unknown for the 'faulty' sense; more likely recognized as a historical clothing term or a nickname.
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties. In BrE, the 'faulty' sense has niche, colloquial use. In AmE, the word is very rare outside historical contexts or as a proper name.
Grammar
How to Use “dicky” in a Sentence
have + a + dicky + [body part] (BrE)ride in + the + dicky (seat)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dicky” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- After the marathon, my knee's been a bit dicky.
- The old car's brakes are getting dicky.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical/sociological texts about fashion or transport.
Everyday
Informal British: 'My back's a bit dicky today.'
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dicky”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dicky”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dicky”
- Using 'dicky' in formal writing.
- Using the 'faulty' sense in American English where it would be misunderstood.
- Confusing 'dicky' (adj) with 'dickey' (AmE variant spelling).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not inherently rude. However, due to its similarity to the name 'Dick', which is sometimes used as a vulgar slang term, it can cause amusement or be avoided in very formal contexts.
No, this sense is specifically British informal. An American saying 'a dicky knee' would likely be misunderstood or sound very odd.
It's British informal, often humorous, for a bow tie. The term 'dicky' here reinforces the small, detachable nature of the item.
Yes, historically a 'dicky' or 'dicky seat' was an extra fold-down seat in a two-seater car, or the passenger seat on a motorcycle. The term is now archaic but known in classic car circles.
A small separate shirt-front or blouse.
Dicky is usually informal, british (for 'faulty' sense); dated fashion/archaic (for clothing sense); informal automotive. in register.
Dicky: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɪki/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɪki/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “dicky bird (slang, rhyming slang for 'word')”
- “not say a dicky bird”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a DICKY bird (small bird) sitting on a DICKY seat (small seat) wearing a DICKY bow (small bow tie) – all are small, sometimes precarious, items.
Conceptual Metaphor
FAULTINESS IS FRAGILITY ('a dicky heart' – the heart is metaphorically fragile).
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is a common British informal use of 'dicky'?