Deadass
adverb / adjective /ˈdɛd.æs/ — Completely serious; genuinely; absolutely
Definition
Used to emphasise complete sincerity or seriousness — 'I'm deadass telling you the truth.' Also used as confirmation: 'Deadass?' meaning 'Are you serious?' New York slang for complete, unqualified honesty.
Beyond the definition
Deadass is sincerity with volume turned up. It takes the word 'dead' — which implies stillness, finality — and uses it to mean the opposite of performance. Deadass means: this is not a bit.
Origin & history
New York slang, from African American Vernacular English. 'Dead' used for emphasis ('dead serious') + 'ass' as an intensifier. Particularly associated with Brooklyn and Bronx speech.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
Deadass that was the best concert I've ever seen.
She's deadass moving to another country. She already has her tickets.
'Are you serious?' 'Deadass.'
How to use it
Follow this entry’s examples for grammatical form and sentence placement.
Choose “Deadass” when the meaning fits your context: Used to emphasise complete sincerity or seriousness — 'I'm deadass telling you the truth.' Also used as confirmation: 'Deadass?' meaning 'Are you serious?' New York slang for complete, unqualified honesty.
Synonyms
seriously, genuinely, for real, honestly, truly
Antonyms
joking, capping, performing
Related words
Deadass vs seriously
Use 'seriously' in standard conversation to express intent. 'Deadass' is an intense colloquialism used to emphasize that you are 100% honest, often in informal arguments.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Formal Document in Courtroom
An adult stands in a grand, wood-paneled courtroom, holding a single document, emphasizing the gravity of the legal processes occurring within.
The adult is deadass. Their posture and commitment to the gravity of the law demonstrate complete, unqualified honesty and seriousness. Just like a document that acts as an oath, their presence in the courtroom signifies a commitment to the truth that requires no further verification.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Deadass" mean?
Deadass is adverb / adjective meaning: Completely serious; genuinely; absolutely. Used to emphasise complete sincerity or seriousness — 'I'm deadass telling you the truth.' Also used as confirmation: 'Deadass?' meaning 'Are you serious?' New York slang for complete, unqualified honesty.
Where does the word "Deadass" come from?
New York slang, from African American Vernacular English. 'Dead' used for emphasis ('dead serious') + 'ass' as an intensifier. Particularly associated with Brooklyn and Bronx speech.