Def Definition & Meaning

American

British

Etymology

Examples

def 1 American [def] / dɛf /

adverb

Informal.

1. definitely.

   Going to Europe this summer? But def!

def 2 American [def] / dɛf /

adjective

1. Slang. excellent.

   That hip-hop record is def!

def. 3 American

abbreviation

1. defective.

2. defendant.

3. defense.

4. deferred.

5. defined.

6. definite.

7. definition.

def. 1 British

abbreviation

1. definition

"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 def 2 British / dɛf /

adjective

1. slang very good, esp of hip-hop

"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

Etymology

Origin of def1

By shortening

Origin of def2

An Americanism dating back to 1980–85; of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Def Jam, the influential US record label, will launch a division in the "capital of Chinese hip-hop" Chengdu, its parent company Universal Music announced late Tuesday, in a vote of confidence for China's music scene.

From Barron's

"Launching Def Jam Recordings China reflects our long-term commitment to this market and our belief that Chinese hip-hop has a powerful role to play in the global evolution of the genre."

From Barron's

Def Jam has also worked with African and European artists through its regional divisions.

From Barron's

Def Jam will work with three acclaimed Chinese rappers -- Xie Di, Yitai Wang and Deng Dianguo "DDG" -- to help identify and mentor emerging artists.

From Barron's

One of its tracks, “Damascus,” features a lead vocal from Syrian singer Omar Souleyman alternating with rapping from Yasiin Bey, formerly known as Mos Def.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.