What is the correct meaning of the word 'dude' ?

The term dude is an American English slang word generally used informally to address a male individual. The word was once used primarily by young adults but has become a common slang term used in various age groups. The female equivalent, though rarely used, is dudette. It is claimed that the term was originally coined by Oscar Wilde.

In informal speech, dude is, under certain circumstances, gender-neutral. "Dude" may also be used alone in a sentence, serving as an exclamation, denoting a feeling of surprise, happiness, disappointment, amazement or other emotions. The word might also be used practically anywhere in a sentence in order to convey such sentiments in conversation. The cadence, volume and length of the word is also used to denote the feeling, such as a clipped "dude" for irritation, or a long "duuude" for amusement, surprise, or wonder.

Other, older definitions of dude exist; a particularly well-dressed male or one who is unfamiliar with life outside a large city. These definitions may go hand-in-hand, hence the phrased definition "An Easterner in the West" (United States)

Dude Meaning

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RE:

What is the correct meaning of the word 'dude' ?

Is it respectful to address someone as 'dude' in e-mails ? Please, elaborate for my knowledge.

Hello.

I think dude is also for the person that wears very shiney clothes. Like Red Shirt and BLUE pants.

I didn't know about the other meanings that users mentioned above.

The current meaning of the word "dude" is "man" and used as a slang descriptor. Though, it is also still used to describe gentlemen who dress fine as well as ranchhands and cowboys.

I think that you could use the term if you are talking with someone very close to you or a peer. But I would not think it proper to use for someone in authority over you or older than your peer generation.

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A little info:

Originally from Middle English (1275–1325) the word dudde meant clothing, particularly a cloak. Eventually, this became the word "duds", slang for fancy clothing. And a person who wore fancy clothing was a "dude". In the American West, cowboys often looked down on "dudes" and originally used it as a derrogatory remark. But, as boys will be boys, the derrogatory name-calling transferred to themselves and they started going by the term "dudes".

You can find this information in etymologies.

I can't find any reputable source that cites historical information on the term "dude" as being a synonym for ingrown elephant hairs or widowers.

the actual meaning of dude is an ingrown hair on an elephants butt....lol, most people don't take it this way...if you are emailing someone who is not your friend it is still not a good idea to use it as it makes a bad first impression

it actually means a guy that has lost his wife

in formal email, i dont think it's respectful to address some1 with that word

try more polite words like sir or anything

i dont know you like or not but the meaning of dude means

a imperfect or a untrands man

if you addressing some one how are open heart with you

you can say him a dude

because in the world "nobody is perffect "

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Hair on elephants butt. Slang to address a guy--hey dude, yo dude!....etc

Ronald Reagan!