Word
doyle
Phoneticsdoyle
/ˈdɔɪɫ/
Definitions
01a surname
n. a common family name that comes from Ireland.
n. a surname of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic 'Ó Dubhghaill'.
“Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is the famous author who wrote the Sherlock Holmes stories.”
“The literary legacy of Doyle continues to influence the detective genre more than a century after the first Holmes story was published.”
02a foolish person
n. a slang word for an idiot or a person who does something silly.
n. a regional pejorative used to describe a person perceived as foolish or idiotic.
“Don't be such a doyle, you've put your shoes on the wrong feet.”
“He was acting like a total doyle at the party, making everyone feel uncomfortable with his constant shouting.”
Dialect · Slang · British English
Usage
primarily used in the Teesside region of North East England.
Teaching tip
This is a very specific regional term; learners should be aware of it if visiting North East England but should avoid using it in general or formal contexts.
Antonyms
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/doyle