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a psychoactive drug made from the Cannabis plant, typically smoked or ingested for its intoxicating effects
What does "dope" mean in drug slang?
The term "dope" refers to drugs, especially cannabis in some contexts, though it can also refer more broadly to various narcotics depending on usage and region. The structure is informal slang with historically shifting meaning, originally used for thick substances and later extended to drugs. It is commonly used in everyday speech and drug-related slang, and can also mean "cool" in a separate, unrelated slang sense.
a soft drink flavored with kola nut extract
What is the origin of the term "dope" and how is it used?
"Dope" as an insult dates back to the mid-19th century, originally meaning a thick liquid or sauce and later slang for drugs or narcotics. The sense referring to a foolish or stupid person developed in the late 19th to early 20th century, drawing on the idea of someone being mentally slow, stupefied, or drugged into dullness. It is used in informal speech, especially in American English, often teasingly or critically. The term is mildly derogatory, insulting intelligence or awareness rather than being strongly offensive.
confidential or privileged information
to take drugs or substances intended to enhance athletic performance
to administer a narcotic or other drug to a person or animal
to introduce impurities or foreign substances into a semiconductor to alter its electrical properties
What does "dope" mean in slang?
The adjective "dope" means something is extremely good, impressive, or exciting. The structure is a semantic shift from its original meaning (a drug), later reinterpreted in slang as a general intensifier of quality. It is informal and widely used in music, streetwear, and internet culture to praise style, skill, or overall appeal.
