dudenoun/duːd/

• 1

  A man, generally a younger man.

  • So we were at the mall and these two dudes just walk up to us and say "hi".
  • A very pretty little dudine of Fifth Avenue is much admired by the dudes in her neighborhood, and it has been observed on several occasions that she appeared to be able to discriminate between them, and not only shows a preference for one dude over another; but is able to recognize the dudes she likes after an interval of separation. It is said, also, that in accepting the attentions of her dude wooers, she shows a peculiar mimicry of the coquettish manners of human girls.
• 2

  A term of address for someone, often but not exclusively a man, particularly when hailing, cautioning them or offering advice.

  • Hey, dude, how's it going?
  • Dude, I'd be careful around the principal; he's having a bad day.
• 3

  slangA tourist.

  • Dudes are at least as entertaining as cows, even when they don't mean to be. A cow can’t voice that honestly curious question that turns a poor cowboy into a laughing fool the way a dude can. Probably nothing in the world can move a cowboy more than a newborn calf's clean, good looks and actions, unless it’s the look of awe on a little dude’s face the first time it sees a cowboy on a horse.
  • The "dudes" are the automobile and bus tourists, mere passers-through: thousands a summer day, millions a season. […] "Dude" expresses perfectly the image that seasonals from the stagecoach driver to the gas-pump jockey have had of tourists: soft, wealthy, uninitiated, ignorant, lowland and (preferably) eastern. […] For the average dude – if such a construct may be admitted – the park is an unusual commodity, financed by his taxes, from which he is therefore entitled to extract as much use and pleasure as he can from the rangers and seasonals who stand in his way.
• 4

  derogatorybiologybirdwatchingnatural-sciencesA birder who has expensive clothing and equipment, but scant knowledge of birds, their fieldmarks, habits, etc.

  • I am forever slagging off some poor harmless dude or pitiful demented twitcher[.]
• 5

  archaicA man who is very concerned about his dress and appearance; a dandy, a fop.

  • When the dude dons gloves couleur de chien jaune éclairé de la lune—
  • There are three kinds of dudes in New York. There is the inanimate rich dude who don't want to do a thing on earth but exhibit himself. Then there is the poor dude, who dresses like the rich dude, and who wants to marry a rich girl […]

dudeintj/duːd/

• 1

  slangA term of address, usually for a man, conveying awe, excitement, surprise, annoyance, etc.

  • Dude! You finally called!
  • And, feckin' A, you ain't never gonna guess this one—dude! […] Thinking this is a little worse than me watching porn. Dude.

dudeverb/duːd/

• 1

  To address someone as dude.

  • "Where you been, Mac? I missed you! Dude—I mean, man," she corrects hastily, with a gamine grin, before I can make good on a threat I made in what feels like another lifetime that I would call her by her full name if she ever "duded" me again. […] Oh, yes, she's upset. She just unapologetically "duded" me.
  • The other two guys with him burst into laughter, dude'''ing and high-fiving like mad.
• 2

  To take a vacation in a dude ranch.

  • The Old Hearst Ranch […] is one of the West's largest and most elaborate dude ranches and includes over 500 acres of woodland trails. There's "dudeing" with all the trimmings, excellent food and rooms at the lodge or individual cabanas.
  • I am certainly interested in this "dude community" business just because I have tried it in the slightest kind of way. In camping it's "the fewer the better," but in "dudeing" it may be "the more the merrier."
• 3

  Usually followed by up: to dress up, to wear smart or special clothes.

  • It seemed that the fellas couldn't get enough girlin' and racing fast cars and grooving to rock and dudeing around in city-slick suits from St. Louis.
  • "Speaking of being duded out …" He shrugged, then handed her the bag. "Here. This is for you." / She reached inside and gasped as she pulled out a white suede western style hat. A glittering gold braid encircled the brim. / "Oh, Zack! It's beautiful. Thank you."