Quick answer
Dashed means frustrated, annoyed, or used as a mild intensifier in old-fashioned british speech. It is usually pronounced dasht, and today it is still readable to modern audiences, even if it sounds more deliberate than everyday speech.
Word page
Dashed
Dashed describes someone or something that is frustrated, annoyed, or used as a mild intensifier in old-fashioned british speech. It belongs to victorian and edwardian curiosities and works best in playful writing, lively dialogue, and moments when plain wording feels too flat. It still feels usable today, especially when you want a word with more character than the plainest alternative.
At a glance
victorianhistoricalcuriosity
How to say it
Meaning in plain English
If something is dashed, it is frustrated, annoyed, or used as a mild intensifier in old-fashioned british speech. The word usually adds a stronger tone than a simpler adjective, which is why it suits vivid writing so well.
Why this word feels absurd
Dashed feels absurd because it has more texture than the plain alternative, giving the idea an extra bit of theatrical, comic, or overbuilt energy.
Origin and history
Dashed is generally traced to from the ordinary verb dash, later softened into a polite intensifier. In modern use, the history matters less than the strong tone the word still carries.
Is this word still used today?
Dashed is still usable today, especially when you want language that feels more distinctive than the plainest modern alternative.
Example sentences
- “Dashed weather,” he muttered, staring at the rain-soaked garden party.
- She gave the radiator a dashed kick and immediately regretted it.
- The colonel called the whole plan a dashed embarrassment.
- In the novel, everyone says dashed just before things get properly dramatic.
- The word sounds mild, but it carries a neat little puff of outrage.
When should you use this word?
Use dashed when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in playful writing, dialogue, and places where tone matters.
Similar words
blasted, blooming, dratted, confounded
Opposite or contrasting words
excellent, delightful, perfectly fine
Common questions
- What does dashed mean? frustrated, annoyed, or used as a mild intensifier in old-fashioned British speech.
- How do you pronounce dashed? It is commonly pronounced dasht.
- Is dashed still used today? Dashed is still usable today, especially when you want language that feels more distinctive than the plainest modern alternative.
- When should you use dashed? Use dashed when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in playful writing, dialogue, and places where tone matters.
- What words are similar to dashed? Similar words include blasted, blooming, dratted, and confounded.
Editorial note
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 9, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.