# dork

/dˈɔːk/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dork
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

a person who is socially awkward or obsessed with things that others find boring. It is a lighthearted way to call someone a nerd, though it can be a bit mean depending on your tone.

For teachers: a socially inept or unfashionable person, often characterized by an obsessive interest in niche or intellectual topics. Informal in register; while historically an insult, it is frequently used affectionately among friends.

## Examples

- He is such a dork when he talks about his stamp collection.
- I felt like a total dork wearing a suit to a party where everyone else was in jeans.
- The protagonist is portrayed as a lovable dork whose encyclopedic knowledge of 1980s cinema eventually proves instrumental in solving the mystery that baffles the more socially adept characters.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used as a mild pejorative or a self-deprecating label.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.