Funny Words Starting with ‘D’

Dive into the delightful depths of the dictionary with me, dear readers, as we discover the decidedly droll and downright darling ‘D’ words that dot our dialogues. These words don’t just dabble in drollery; they’re the dynamos driving our daily dose of laughter. So, without dilly-dallying, let’s delve into the domain of ‘D’!

Discombobulate

To “discombobulate” is to confuse or disconcert; upset; frustrate. The very sound of it is enough to make you feel off-balance.

Example: I was completely discombobulated when the instructor started explaining quantum physics in interpretive dance.

Dillydally

“Dillydally” is to waste time through aimless wandering or indecision. It’s the art of doing everything you can to avoid doing what you should.

Example: If you dillydally any longer, we’ll miss the beginning of the ‘World’s Slowest Races’ marathon.

Dingbats

“Dingbats” are silly or eccentric people. It’s also a term for the ornamental symbols used in typesetting. Either way, it’s fun to say.

Example: Look at those dingbats trying to start a conga line in a library.

Doodle

A “doodle” is a simple drawing made absent-mindedly. They’re the squiggles that somehow take over the margins of your notepad during long phone calls.

Example: His meeting doodles have become so elaborate that they’re considering a gallery exhibition.

Doozy

A “doozy” is something outstanding or unique, often in a way that’s either impressive or daunting. It originally referred to a luxury car in the 1920s: the “Duesenberg,” hence the term.

Example: The last round of the trivia game was a real doozy, featuring questions like “How many feathers does the average chicken have?”

Dander

“Dander” is tiny scales from hair, feathers, or skin that can cause allergies. But it’s also used in the phrase “getting your dander up,” meaning to become angry.

Example: When he realized his favorite show was canceled, he really got his dander up and started petitioning for a reboot.

Donnybrook

A “donnybrook” refers to an uproarious argument or brawl. It’s named after an annual fair in Donnybrook, Ireland, which was famous for such shenanigans.

Example: The debate over the best Star Trek captain turned into a full-blown donnybrook, with foam phasers flying everywhere.

Doppelganger

“Doppelganger” is a look-alike or double of a living person, often considered a harbinger of bad luck. But in a lighter vein, it’s fun to spot your friends’ celebrity twins.

Example: I saw my doppelganger on the bus today; he was so similar he even had the same stain on his shirt.

Dunderhead

A “dunderhead” is a dull-witted or slow-minded person. It’s the kind of insult that sounds so archaic, it comes across as endearing rather than mean.

Example: Only a dunderhead would bring a knife to a spoon-only dessert party.

Drivel

“Drivel” is silly nonsense. The word itself seems to drip with the gooey substance of foolishness.

Example: I had to sit through an hour of his drivel about the secret lives of garden gnomes.

Dollop

A “dollop” is a shapeless mass or blob of something, usually food. It’s what happens when you let children serve themselves whipped cream.

Example: She plopped a dollop of ketchup so large on her plate that it could’ve been seen from space.

Dingleberry

A “dingleberry” typically refers to a clinging remnant of fecal matter, but it’s often used to describe a foolish or inept person. Despite its less-than-pleasant literal meaning, the word has a certain innocent humor to it.

Example: That dingleberry thought he could microwave metal and now we need a new microwave.

Daft

“Daft” is a British term for silly or foolish. It’s less harsh than calling someone an idiot and has a playful tone to it.

Example: Wearing a snorkel in the bathtub just because it’s ‘Underwater Exploration Day’ is a bit daft, don’t you think?

Dillydally

“Dillydally” is to waste time through aimless wandering or indecision. It’s the art of doing everything you can to avoid doing what you should.

Example: If you dillydally any longer, we’ll miss the beginning of the ”World’s Slowest Races’ marathon.

Doddering

“Doddering” refers to someone who is shaky or trembling, typically due to old age. It can also describe a quaint way of moving about, seeming indecisive or fragile.

Example: The doddering old gentleman took so long to cross the road that the traffic lights changed twice.

Diddly-squat

“Diddly-squat” means little or nothing at all. It’s the perfect retort when someone questions the value of your extensive rubber duck collection.

Example: I know diddly-squat about fixing cars, which is why I thought the radiator could be repaired with bubble gum.

Doofer

A “doofer” is an indefinite term for an object whose name you can’t remember, a thingamajig, or a whatchamacallit.

Example: Can you pass me that doofer over there? No, not that one, the doofer next to the thingamabob.

Dingle-dangle

“Dingle-dangle” refers to something that hangs loosely or swings to and fro. It’s also just exceptionally fun to say out loud.

Example: The dingle-dangle earrings she wore were so long, they could have swept the floor.

Final Thoughts

Our delightful detour through the dictionary’s ‘D’ section has demystified the droll dynamics of these words. As you depart and disseminate your newfound knowledge, may you do so with the dignity of a duck in a derby hat (which, incidentally, would also be a bit daft).

Remember, language is a playground, and these delicious ‘D’ words are the swings and slides. Use them to dazzle and delight, or simply to add a dollop of humor to your daily discourse. After all, a day without laughter is a day wasted, and thanks to this dynamic directory of ‘D’ words, you’re well-equipped to dodge such dreary days.

So go forth, deploy these dandy words with delight, and watch as your dialogues become a whimsical whirlwind of wit. And if anyone dares to declare your use of such words as drivel, simply retort with a disarming smile and remind them that in the domain of ‘D’, delight always trumps drudgery.