The Meaning of Bloke: What It Is and How To Use It

Do you know the definition of bloke? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the word bloke, including its definition, etymology, usage, example sentences, and more!

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What does the word bloke mean?

According to Collins English Dictionary and the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, the word bloke means a good man or common man. This can also refer to a person who behaves in a particularly laddish or overtly heterosexual manner. This independent male archetype is frequently used in the UK, and is uncommon in the United States. You might refer to someone as a fortunate bloke, or nice bloke. This informal term is used frequently in Britain and sometimes Canada. The pronunciation of bloke is bloak/bləʊk.

Many different languages also contain words that mean bloke. You may notice that many of these translations of bloke from Word Sense look and sound similar to one another. These are called cognates, which are often formed when two words in different languages have the same root or language of origin. While Word Sense is a great source for translations, you could also consult a multilingual translator, French electronic resource, German Dictionary, Spanish Dictionary, and other sources.

  •  Finnish: tyyppi‎, heppu‎, jätkä‎, veikko‎
  •  Spanish: tío m, tipo‎ m
  •  Polish: facet‎ m, koleś‎ m
  •  Maori: autaia‎
  •  Russian: мужи́к‎, челове́к‎, тип‎
  •  French: gars‎ m, type‎ m, mec‎ m
  •  German: Kerl m
  •  Norwegian: fyr‎ m
  •  Afrikaans: kêrel‎
  •  Ido: kerlo‎, chlápek
  •  Danish: fyr‎ m
  •  Arabic: رَجُل‎
  •  Portuguese: cara‎ m, tipo m, typ m
  •  Romanian: tip‎ m

What is the origin of the word bloke?

According to The Slang Podcast, the first recorded use of the word bloke was found in the court papers of the Old Bailey, The Central Criminal Court of England and Wales in the early 1850s in c19. This was recorded during the trial of 17-year-old John Daly who was charged with housebreaking. In this trial, the homeowner was referred to as a bloke. The earliest known usage is as a London slang term, when the word bloke was originally used by criminals to mean a man who was not a criminal and usually of high social standing. 

While this word’s origin is wholly unknown, there are many theories about its etymology. It may come from the Hindi loke, meaning man, or from Gypsy and Romani/Romany origins. It could even come from the Celtic ploc, Caltic word ploc or or as a variation of the slang term gloak. This is a slang term for a common man in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. While in the UK, a bloke is viewed as an average man, in Australia the idea of an “Aussie bloke” is slightly different. There, a classic bloke is a staple masculine archetype closely associated with the country’s national identity and pride. This has been portrayed in important works of art and associated with famous Australian men or a New Zealand male in history.

How can the word bloke be used in a sentence?

The word bloke can be used in many different sentences in British English. Using words in a sentence is a great way to memorize their definitions. You can also try making flashcards or a quiz to test your knowledge. Try using this word of the day in a sentence today! Below are a few different examples of ways you can use the word bloke in a sentence to help get your started. 

In Leicester Square, the drunk bloke, Pete, accosted the policeman, who could tell he was intoxicated by his speech patterns and brought him in. “You oughta let me go, I’m dat bloke you know!” the mane tried to shout, with no luck.

What ever happened to that bloke Em was dating back in April? The one who went to Princeton University?

What are synonyms and antonyms of bloke?

There are many different words and phrases that one can use in place of the word bloke. These are called synonyms, which are words and phrases that have the same definition as other words and phrases. Synonyms are an easy way to expand your English language vocabulary, and can be useful in helping one to avoid repeating themselves. This list of synonyms for the word bloke is provided by Power Thesaurus

  •  gink
  •  chap
  •  human
  •  gents
  •  gent
  •  cat
  •  buck
  •  male
  •  personage
  •  male human
  •  boss
  •  Anglophone man
  •  host
  •  Lucky dog
  •  cabman
  •  geezer
  •  type
  •  fellers
  •  human being
  •  body
  •  buddy
  •  mortal
  •  feller
  •  lad
  •  hombre
  •  character
  •  fellow
  •  beggar
  •  chappie
  •  living soul
  •  older man
  •  cuss
  •  creature
  •  individual
  •  person
  •  felloe
  •  fella
  •  being
  •  man
  •  blighter
  •  customer
  •  sort
  •  bugger
  •  skate
  •  dude
  •  boy
  •  galoot
  •  soul
  •  dog
  •  guy
  •  chaps
  •  boyfriend
  •  fellas
  •  git
  •  lads
  •  gentleman

There are also many different words that mean the opposite of the word bloke. These are called antonyms. Learning antonyms is another easy way to expand your English vocabulary. This list of opposite words for the word bloke is also provided by Power Thesaurus

  •  demiurge
  •  inanimate
  •  gal
  •  monster
  •  woman
  •  martian
  •  godhead
  •  deity
  •  demon
  •  divine nature
  •  younger son
  •  female
  •  jovian
  •  extraterrestrial
  •  girl
  •  immortal
  •  lass
  •  celestial being
  •  divinity
  •  olympian
  •  lassie
  •  she
  •  gurl
  •  divine being
  •  god
  •  numen
  •  goddess
  •  sadist
  •  venutian
  •  supreme being
  •  bird
  •  daemon
  •  besom
  •  brute
  •  beast
  •  y’all
  •  concept
  •  idea
  •  villain
  •  barbarian
  •  plant
  •  animal
  •  avatar
  •  fiend
  •  alien
  •  ogre
  •  immortal being
  •  abstract
  •  devil
  •  savage

Overall, the word bloke means a man or fellow. This term is commonly used in British English speaking countries such as England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Ireland. In Australia and New Zealand, this term describes a masculine archetype. This word has been used since the early 19th century.

Sources:

  1. Bloke – What does “Bloke” mean in British slang? | The Slang Podcast 
  2. bloke: meaning, origin, translation | Word Sense 
  3. Bloke definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary 
  4. Bloke synonyms – 205 Words and Phrases for Bloke | Power Thesaurus 
  5. Bloke antonyms – 80 Opposites of Bloke | Power Thesaurus