def

Def is an informal adjective meaning excellent, outstanding, or the best of its kind. It arose in the late 1970s and early 1980s as a clipped form of "definitely" within African American Vernacular English, particularly in New York's emerging hip-hop scene, where rappers and DJs used it to praise beats, rhymes, and style. Its cultural cachet was cemented when Russell Simmons chose it for Def Jam Recordings in 1984, making it one of the most recognizable words in popular music history. Though its everyday use has faded somewhat since its 1980s heyday, "def" survives as a marker of authenticity and retro cool, appearing frequently in discussions of classic hip-hop. It should be reserved for casual speech and writing; in formal contexts, "excellent" or "outstanding" are safer choices.

Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.

Etymology of def

"Def" originated as a clipped, colloquial pronunciation of "definitely" in African American Vernacular English during the late 1970s, first in New York City's hip-hop and street culture. By the mid-1980s it had become a widely recognized slang adjective meaning excellent, boosted enormously by the name Def Jam Recordings, founded by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin in 1984. It derives from Latin roots shared with "definite" and "define," ultimately from de- plus finire, "to set bounds."

How def is actually used

"Def" is firmly informal, rooted in African American Vernacular English and hip-hop culture of the 1980s. It reads as dated to some listeners today but retains retro credibility in music and streetwear contexts.

Easily confused with def

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