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dork

noun
\ ˈdȯrk How to pronounce dork (audio) \

Definition of dork

slang
: nerd looked like a dork in that sweater also : jerk sense 1a Stop acting like a dork.
Synonyms Of Nerds, Geeks, and Dorks More Example Sentences Learn More about dork

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Synonyms for dork

Synonyms

bookworm, dink [slang], geek, grind, nerd, swot [British], weenie, wonk

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Of Nerds, Geeks, and Dorks

Dork, when used to refer to a socially awkward or inept person, is a relatively recent word: our records indicate that it first appeared in writing in the 1960s. Two of its synonyms in this sense are likewise of fairly recent vintage. Nerd (typically used of a studious species of dork) dates from the 1950s; it was coined by Dr. Seuss in his 1950 book If I Ran the Zoo, although not in the sense that we use today. Geek became synonymous with nerd in the 1950s. Prior to this, the word referred to, among other things, a carnival performer who would bite the head off a live chicken, or other small animal, as part of an act.

Examples of dork in a Sentence

I look like a complete dork in these clothes.

Recent Examples on the Web

 Joana was more like the kid waving her arms like a dork and dancing along to the music with her friends. — cleveland.com, "Joana Ceddia got famous on YouTube for being a normal teen, and she’s trying to stay that way," 18 July 2019 Joana was more like the kid waving her arms like a dork and dancing along to the music with her friends. — Abby Ohlheiser, Twin Cities, "Joana Ceddia got famous on YouTube for being a normal teen, and she’s trying to stay that way," 18 July 2019 Joana was more like the kid waving her arms like a dork and dancing along to the music with her friends. — cleveland.com, "Joana Ceddia got famous on YouTube for being a normal teen, and she’s trying to stay that way," 18 July 2019 Joana was more like the kid waving her arms like a dork and dancing along to the music with her friends. — Abby Ohlheiser, Twin Cities, "Joana Ceddia got famous on YouTube for being a normal teen, and she’s trying to stay that way," 18 July 2019 Joana was more like the kid waving her arms like a dork and dancing along to the music with her friends. — cleveland.com, "Joana Ceddia got famous on YouTube for being a normal teen, and she’s trying to stay that way," 18 July 2019 Joana was more like the kid waving her arms like a dork and dancing along to the music with her friends. — cleveland.com, "Joana Ceddia got famous on YouTube for being a normal teen, and she’s trying to stay that way," 18 July 2019 Instagram is this fun, dumb thing to be a little bit of a dork on and to kind of promote the movie. — Randy Cordova, azcentral, "'The Art of Self-Defense' filmmaker Riley Stearns talks toxic masculinity and tattoos," 18 July 2019 Joana was more like the kid waving her arms like a dork and dancing along to the music with her friends. — Abby Ohlheiser, Washington Post, "Joana Ceddia got famous on YouTube for being a normal teen. She’s trying to stay that way.," 17 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dork.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of dork

1967, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for dork

perhaps alteration of dick

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More Definitions for dork

dork

noun
How to pronounce dork (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of dork

informal : a person who behaves awkwardly around other people and usually has unstylish clothes, hair, etc.

See the full definition for dork in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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