dork

noun

ˈdȯrk 

plural dorks

informal

: an odd, socially awkward, unstylish person

I felt like a dork in that sweater.

As the years went by, Webb found other members of his own species—a dork here, a nerd there.

—Jerry Spinelli

The kinds of kids regarded by peers as dorks, nerds and screw-ups have suffered years of rejection, based on appearances, quirks and familial conditioning.

—Ed Blank

Her younger brother … is a wispy little wimp with dorks for pals … and a big problem with the local bully.

—Kendall Hamilton

also : an annoyingly stupid or foolish person : jerk sense 1a

… her dork of a do-nothing husband …

—Stephen Schaefer

My fear of the menace represented by this young dork is offset only by the concern that if I confront him, he'll come over one night and smash our patio furniture.

—Stanley Bing

Did you know?

Of Nerds, Geeks, and Dorks

This trio of words historically refers to the uncool among us. Dork, when used to refer to a socially awkward or inept person, is a relatively recent word: our records indicate that it first appeared in writing in the 1960s. Two of its synonyms in this sense are likewise of fairly recent vintage. Nerd (typically used of a studious species of dork) dates from the 1950s; it may have been coined by Dr. Seuss in his 1950 book If I Ran the Zoo, although not in the sense that we use today. Nerd is now often used in a neutral fashion to denote enthusiasm or expertise (theater nerd) or proudly as a self-identifying trait (word nerd). Geek became synonymous with nerd in the 1950s and has similarly seen increasing use with positive connotations, highlighting membership in a specialized group (film geek, beer geek) rather than social awkwardness. In its earliest meanings, geek referred to, among other things, a carnival performer who would bite the head off a live chicken, or other small animal, as part of an act.

Synonyms

• nerd
• geek

Examples of dork in a Sentence

I look like a complete dork in these clothes.

Recent Examples on the Web

Then the two dorks pick her up in a Porsche and race off. —Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 6 June 2025

An apocalyptic wasteland ruled by savage bands of outlaws or a horny computer dork's bedroom — which is more terrifying? —Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 6 June 2025

The first book in the popular middle grade series, first released in 2009, is illustrated by author Rachel Renee Russell's daughter, Nikki. Dork Diaries now a 16-book series, with the most recent having been released in 2024 Rejoice, dorks — Dork Diaries is back! —Rachel Raposas, People.com, 22 May 2025

The preseason is going to be wild — must-see TV for football dorks like me. —Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 3 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

perhaps alteration of dick

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for dork

• bork
• fork
• pork
• stork
• torque
• pitchfork

Kids Definition

dork

noun

ˈdȯrk 

informal

: jerk sense 3