dope
An informal term used as an adjective to describe something as excellent, cool, or very good; it also functions as a noun referring to illegal drugs or inside information.
Dope is a multi-functional slang word used to praise something or refer to drugs and information.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Slang adjective meaning excellent, impressive, or very cool.
- Noun referring to illegal drugs or narcotics.
- Noun meaning confidential or inside information.
- Verb meaning to administer drugs for performance impact.
Summary
Dope is a multi-functional slang word used to praise something or refer to drugs and information.
- Slang adjective meaning excellent, impressive, or very cool.
- Noun referring to illegal drugs or narcotics.
- Noun meaning confidential or inside information.
- Verb meaning to administer drugs for performance impact.
Use it to show genuine enthusiasm
When you see something truly impressive like a piece of art or a performance, calling it 'dope' sounds more natural in casual English than 'very good.'
Avoid 'dope' in formal business emails
Using 'dope' to describe a project or a colleague's work can come across as unprofessional or immature in a corporate environment.
Roots in Hip-Hop Culture
The positive use of 'dope' gained global popularity through 1980s and 90s hip-hop, where it was used to describe high-quality production and lyrics.
Examples
4 of 4That new jacket you bought is so dope!
The athlete was disqualified for doping.
I've got the dope on why the manager really quit.
The police seized a large quantity of dope during the raid.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a 'dope' beat making you feel 'high' on the music—it connects the 'cool' meaning with the 'drug' origin.
Overview
'Dope' is a highly versatile English word that has transitioned from a specific technical term to a broad slang expression. In modern casual conversation, it is most frequently used as an adjective of high praise, similar to 'cool' or 'awesome.' However, its older meanings related to narcotics and information remain very active in specific contexts. 2) Usage Patterns: As an adjective, it usually follows a linking verb (e.g., 'That song is dope') or precedes a noun (e.g., 'He has some dope shoes'). As a noun, it can mean illegal substances, particularly marijuana or heroin, or it can mean 'the inside story' or 'intel' (e.g., 'Give me the inside dope'). As a verb, it often refers to the act of administering drugs to a person or animal to affect performance. 3) Common Contexts: You will find 'dope' used as an adjective primarily in hip-hop culture, fashion, and youth-oriented social media. The noun form regarding drugs is common in crime reporting or medical contexts, while 'the dope' meaning information is slightly more old-fashioned but still used in investigative journalism or office gossip. 4) Similar Words Comparison: While 'cool' is a safe, all-purpose term, 'dope' carries a more modern, urban edge. Compared to 'narcotics,' the noun 'dope' is much more informal and often implies a specific street context. Unlike 'news,' the phrase 'the dope' implies information that is not yet public or is being shared confidentially.
Usage Notes
The adjective 'dope' is highly informal and best reserved for friends or peers. When used as a noun for drugs, it is often associated with street slang. The verb form is the only version commonly used in formal news (e.g., sports doping scandals).
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using 'dope' in a formal essay to mean 'good.' Another mistake is using 'dope' to mean 'stupid' in modern contexts, as that meaning has largely been replaced by 'dopey.'
Memory Tip
Think of a 'dope' beat making you feel 'high' on the music—it connects the 'cool' meaning with the 'drug' origin.
Word Origin
Originates from the Dutch word 'doop,' meaning a sauce or dip. It later referred to thick lubricants and eventually to drugs that 'dope' or stupefy a person.
Cultural Context
In the 1980s, 'dope' became a staple of 'sneakerhead' and hip-hop culture, representing a shift where words with negative origins were reclaimed as positive superlatives.
Examples
That new jacket you bought is so dope!
everydayThe athlete was disqualified for doping.
formalI've got the dope on why the manager really quit.
informalThe police seized a large quantity of dope during the raid.
informalWord Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
dope out
dope up
Often Confused With
'Dopey' means silly, foolish, or lethargic, whereas 'dope' as an adjective means excellent.
'Doting' means showing excessive fondness, which is unrelated to the cool or drug-related meanings of 'dope'.
Grammar Patterns
Use it to show genuine enthusiasm
When you see something truly impressive like a piece of art or a performance, calling it 'dope' sounds more natural in casual English than 'very good.'
Avoid 'dope' in formal business emails
Using 'dope' to describe a project or a colleague's work can come across as unprofessional or immature in a corporate environment.
Roots in Hip-Hop Culture
The positive use of 'dope' gained global popularity through 1980s and 90s hip-hop, where it was used to describe high-quality production and lyrics.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct sense of 'dope' for this sentence.
Did you hear the new Kendrick Lamar track? The beat is totally ___.
In this context, 'dope' is an adjective meaning the music is excellent.
What does 'dope' mean in the following sentence: 'The reporter was looking for the inside dope on the scandal.'?
'The inside dope' is a common idiom for secret or internal information.
Reorder the words to create a natural slang sentence.
sneakers / those / look / really / dope / .
The adjective 'dope' follows the linking verb 'look' to describe the sneakers.
Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNo, it is not a swear word, but it is very informal. Because of its association with drugs, it might be inappropriate in professional or conservative settings.
It refers to secret or exclusive information about a situation that the general public doesn't know yet.
Yes, if you call someone 'dope,' you are saying they are cool or talented. However, in older slang, it could mean someone is stupid, though this is less common now.
In sports, 'doping' refers to the illegal use of performance-enhancing drugs to gain an unfair advantage.
