dada

[ dah-dah ]

/ ˈdɑ dɑ /

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noun (sometimes initial capital letter)

the style and techniques of a group of artists, writers, etc., of the early 20th century who exploited accidental and incongruous effects in their work and who programmatically challenged established canons of art, thought, morality, etc.

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Origin of dada

1915–20; <French: hobby horse, childish reduplication of da giddyap

OTHER WORDS FROM dada

da·da·ism, nounda·da·ist, nounda·da·is·tic, adjectiveda·da·is·ti·cal·ly, adverb

Words nearby dada

dactyloscopy, -dactylous, dactylus, -dactyly, dad, dada, dadah, Dad and Dave, dad-blamed, dad-blasted, dad bod

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use dada in a sentence

Inspired by Dada, Fluxus was an international movement founded in the 1960s that sought to break down the distinctions between art and life.
Nam June Paik predicted the Internet, YouTube and Instagram. But he was more interesting as an artist than as a prophet.|Sebastian Smee|July 30, 2021|Washington Post
The other day we got in the car and I had a CD on, and he said, “Dada, is that James Brown?”
Kentucky’s Finest Antihero: Walton Goggins on Justified’s Chameleon Villain|Allen Barra|February 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At Performa, Shana Lutker revisits a wild Dada play that featured a nose and some lips.
A Performance Like a Punch in the Face|Blake Gopnik|November 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Carlos Dada, editor of El Faro, believes his detractors protest too much.
El Salvador’s Violence Dips After a Truce Between Gangs and Government|Mac Margolis|April 7, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Was one of Dada's fathers really such a mystery or did he show his true self in his art?
Man Ray Revealed|Philip Gefter|November 12, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Self-Portrait, 1916,” which Man Ray made at the age of 26, is notably considered the “first proto-Dada assemblage.
Man Ray Revealed|Philip Gefter|November 12, 2009|DAILY BEAST
And dada only kissed the weary little faces of the supplicants, and laughed again until the tears ran down his cheeks.
The Harmsworth Magazine, Vol. 1, 1898-1899, No. 6|Various
And we can't go home without a single nugget to buy presents with, or dada'll be sure to whack us.
The Harmsworth Magazine, Vol. 1, 1898-1899, No. 6|Various
Not long after Porphyrius and the philosopher had retired to a private room Herse returned with Dada.
Serapis, Complete|Georg Ebers
Here, Dada—here; take this ring, it has been worn by a woman who once was young and who has had many lovers.
Serapis, Complete|Georg Ebers
She spoke with such earnest conviction that Dada remained silent with downcast eyes, and Karnis sat up to think the matter over.
Serapis, Complete|Georg Ebers

British Dictionary definitions for dada

Dada

Dadaism (ˈdɑːdɑːˌɪzəm)

/ (ˈdɑːdɑː) /

noun

a nihilistic artistic movement of the early 20th century in W Europe and the US, founded on principles of irrationality, incongruity, and irreverence towards accepted aesthetic criteria

Derived forms of Dada

Dadaist, noun, adjectiveDadaistic, adjectiveDadaistically, adverb

Word Origin for Dada

C20: from French, from a children's word for hobbyhorse, the name being arbitrarily chosen

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012