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Definition of deadass

deadass

/ˈdɛdˌæs/
dead · ass
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deadass Lexical Profile

deadass Game Scores & Validity

• adverb

1

American (slang) Genuinely, truly, or without exaggeration; used to emphasize the truth of a statement.

Example

"I deadass forgot that our presentation was scheduled for today."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• adjective

1

American (slang) Completely serious, sincere, or honest; not joking.

Example

"Wait, are you deadass about moving across the country next month?"

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• interjection

1

American (slang) Used to express strong agreement, affirm that one is speaking the truth, or question whether someone else is being serious.

Example

""He finished the entire project in two hours." "Deadass?""

Synonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

"Deadass" is an informal slang term originating in New York City African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and should be avoided in formal or professional registers.

• Nearby Words

deactivation
deactivator
dead
deadass
deadbeat
deadbolt
deaden

Word Origin & Etymology

Emerged in New York City slang in the late 1990s and early 2000s, formed by combining the intensifying adverb "dead" (as in "dead serious") with the slang suffix "-ass."

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Deadass. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/deadass
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