dick
noun
a detective.
dick
1 American
[dik]
/ dɪk /
noun
Slang.
-
dicks
plural
-
Older Use. a detective.
-
Vulgar. penis.
-
Vulgar. a stupid, mean, or contemptible person, especially a man.
Dick
2
American
[dik]
/ dɪk /
noun
-
George Frederick, 1881–1967, U.S. internist.
-
Philip K., 1928–82, U.S. science-fiction writer.
-
a male given name, form of Richard.
dick
1
British
/ dɪk /
noun
-
a fellow or person
-
a person who is obnoxiously opinionated or self-satisfied; know-all
-
a slang word for penis
dick
2
British
/ dɪk /
noun
Dick
Scientific
/ dĭk /
Dick
Idioms
Usage
The third sense of this word was formerly considered to be taboo and it was labelled as such in previous editions of Collins English Dictionary . However, it has now become acceptable in speech, although some older or more conservative people may object to its use
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of dick
First recorded in 1545–55; generic use of the name Dick ( def. )
Explanation
Dick is a vulgar slang word for a penis. It's also an insulting thing to call someone you don't like, especially a boy or man. Much like ass, this word for a below-the-belt body part is very commonly used as an insult meaning pretty much "jerk" or "idiot." Only males have dicks, and this insult is usually used toward a guy who is "acting like a dick." Lots of people find this word offensive, especially parents, teachers, and other adults. If you have to discuss a dick, you're better off saying penis or using a slang word that's sillier and less offensive, like johnson.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
"Lennon was as friendly as could be, not flippant or jokey or clever dick, treating his young interviewer's questions with respect, which of course makes his answers interesting."
From BBC ● Jun. 23, 2022
My biggest beef with Forgotten Land is that, as a heretofore non-Kirby player, Kirby kinda comes off as a dick.
From The Verge ● Mar. 23, 2022
The Academy of Country Music, dick clark productions, and CBS announced the nominations on Friday, which honors some of the biggest talent and rising stars within country music.
From Fox News ● Feb. 26, 2021
NBC and dick clark productions announced the new award and recipient Monday, two days ahead of the show, which will air live on NBC from the Dolby Theatre at 8 p.m.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 12, 2020
“Yeah, well. It was pretty funny. And plus Colin was being sort of a dick and needed to be taken down a peg.”
From "An Abundance of Katherines" by John Green
Longtime folks like Sens. Gary Peters, Dick Durbin, and more are packing it in.
From Slate ● Oct. 6, 2026
Dick Portillo turned a $1,100 investment into a billion-dollar hot-dog empire over 50 years.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 21, 2026
He was also known for starring in Doctor at Large, Dick Turpin, and the 1980s sitcom Me and My Girl, alongside Tim Brooke-Taylor, Joanne Ridley and Joan Sanderson.
From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026
Dick Portillo opened a hot-dog stand in 1963 without knowing how to cook a hot dog.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026
It was the autumn of 1952 and Tricky Dick, then a Senator from California, had just been selected as the Republican vice presidential candidate for that November’s election.
From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith
Flowers include “desert dandelions, blue dicks, desert or wild parsley, and red maids,” according to the parks department, as well as blooming Joshua trees and bladderpod.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 7, 2023
Look for lupines, goldfields, blue dicks and giant coreopsis.
From New York Times ● Apr. 1, 2023
It celebrates that glorious moment when you get to the end of school and realise that the people you always thought of as dicks, jocks, geeks, or whatever, are actually all right.
From The Guardian ● May 27, 2019
He’s the ghost of Christmas past gone wrong, singing with his show-host permasmile and completely missing the irony, while somehow shaming the seasonally disgruntled into feeling like dicks for not having a good time.
From Salon ● Nov. 30, 2018
Here you, Louie," he bade one of them, "jump to the telephone and notify a certain party to have me mouthpiece at Headquarters by the time I kin get there with these two dicks.
From From Place to Place by Irvin S. (Irvin Shrewsbury) Cobb
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
