- Slang term meaning very good, excellent, cool, or stylish.
- Similar in usage and meaning to sick.
Explanation
Origin
- The positive slang meaning of dope likely originated in African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and hip-hop culture in the 1980s.
- Its origin is debated. It might relate to dope meaning drugs (implying something addictive or potent in its coolness), or potentially evolved independently.
- It became widely popular through music and youth culture.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Sick
- Cool
- Awesome
- Rad
- Fly / Fresh (More dated)
- Tight
- Lit / Fire
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- Fucking dope!
- Dope AF (Dope As Fuck)
- Badass
Milder/Standard:
- Excellent
- Great
- Impressive
- Stylish
- Cool (more universally accepted)
Situational Appropriateness
- Highly informal slang.
- Use primarily in casual settings with peers, especially within contexts influenced by hip-hop culture, youth culture, or where informal slang is common.
- Avoid completely in formal or professional settings. The association with drugs (even if not the direct origin of this meaning) makes it unsuitable for formal contexts.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- The primary meaning for many people relates to illegal drugs. While context usually makes the slang meaning clear among those who use it, there's a significant risk of misunderstanding or negative connotation with audiences unfamiliar with or disapproving of the slang (e.g., older generations, formal settings).
Examples
- Those sneakers are dope!
- He played a dope beat.
- That's a dope jacket.
- The party was pretty dope.
Dialogue
Maria: Check out the new graffiti art downtown.
Carlos: Oh yeah, I saw that yesterday. That piece by the bridge is dope.
Maria: Right? The colors and the style are amazing.
Carlos: Seriously dope.
Social Media Examples
- Instagram caption: New setup finally complete. Feeling pretty dope. #gamingsetup #tech
- Tweet: Just listened to the new album it's dope! Highly recommend. #Music #AlbumReview
- Comment on a photo of sneakers: Those kicks are dope! 🔥
- Message: Yo that was a dope movie.
Response Patterns
When something of yours is called dope:
- Thanks!
- Appreciate it.
- Word. (AAVE/Hip-hop slang for agreement/acknowledgment)
When agreeing that something is dope:
- Totally dope.
- For real.
- Yeah, it is.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- Ask where it was obtained: Where'd you get that? It's dope.
- Express further admiration: Seriously cool.
- Discuss the item/event further.
Conversation Starter
- No. A descriptive adjective or reaction.
Intonation
- Emphasis strongly on DOPE.
- Said with admiration or cool approval. Yeah, that's DOPE.
Generation Differences
- Strongly associated with hip-hop culture from the 80s onwards. Used commonly by Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z, though perhaps slightly less trendy among the very youngest compared to lit or fire at their peak. Still widely understood in informal contexts.
Regional Variations
- Originated in the US (AAVE) but spread globally through music and media.