Word
bloke
US/ˈbɫoʊk/
UK/blˈəʊk/
Definitions
01a man
n. an informal word for a man.
n. an informal term for a man, often implying he is an ordinary person or a 'regular guy'.
“He seems like a nice bloke once you get to know him.”
“I was just chatting to some bloke at the bus stop who told me the trains were cancelled for the rest of the afternoon.”
British English · Informal
Usage
Commonly used in British and Australian English; less common in American English where 'guy' is preferred.
Teaching tip
While generally friendly, it is strictly informal; students should avoid using it in professional emails or academic writing.
02masculine archetype
n. a man who acts in a very traditional or 'manly' way.
n. a man who embodies traditional masculine traits, often associated with being down-to-earth, independent, or interested in stereotypically male hobbies.
“He's a real bloke's bloke who loves football and fixing cars.”
“The marketing campaign was clearly designed to appeal to the 'average bloke' who values practical results over aesthetic flourishes.”
British English · Informal
Synonyms
03naval officer
n. a nickname used by sailors for the captain or a high-ranking officer on a ship.
n. a traditional lower-deck slang term for the commanding officer or executive officer of a naval vessel.
“The sailors were nervous because the bloke was known for being very strict.”
“In the closed world of the destroyer, the 'Bloke' was a figure of both immense authority and constant scrutiny by the crew.”
British English · Slang · Technical
Usage
Usually used with the definite article 'the'.
Etymology
Origin unknown; the following borrowings have been hypothesized: * From a modern Celtic language, such as Irish bloc (“block”) or Scottish Gaelic ploc (“large, stubborn person”, literally “block of wood”), themselves borrowings from English block * From Hindustani لوک (lok) / लोक (lok, “people, folk”) or Shelta loke (“man”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.