ENGLISH
REFERENCE

doris

n. countable
C2 Proficiency US //ˈdɑɹəs// doris Slang Vulgar

n. a woman, especially a girlfriend or wife. It is a very old-fashioned and casual way to talk about a woman, mostly used in British English.

n. a woman, girlfriend, or wife. Informal and dated British slang; often carries a mildly dismissive or humorous tone depending on the social context.


SIMPLE

He is bringing his doris to the party tonight.

CONTEXTUAL

The old man at the pub often joked about having to check with his doris before staying for another drink.

Etymology 1

From Ancient Greek Δωρίς (Dōrís). Sense 7 is owing to similarity to Boris.

Etymology 2

* Shortened Anglicized form of Irish Ó Dubhruis, from earlier Ó Dubhrosa, from Ó (“descendant of”) + Dubhros, a name from dubh (“black”) + ros (“wood”). * A habitational French surname from d' (“of”) + Oris-en-Rattier (“a commune in Isère, France”).

Etymology 3

From the name of famous film star Doris Day.

Usage

Primarily found in British English; informal and dated register.

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