Definition of NED

ned

Meanings

Plural: neds

Noun

  • A person, usually a youth, of low social standing and education, a violent disposition and with a particular style of dress (typically sportswear or Burberry), speech and behaviour.

Origin / Etymology

Unknown. The suggested initialism from "non-educated delinquent" is a backronym and folk etymology. Several other suggestions include a contraction of ne'er-do-well, neanderthal, or some kind of relationship with Teddy Boy although its use much predates the 1950s origin of that phrase. Ostensibly unrelated to "Ned" as a diminutive of the personal name "Edward" but the Scottish use of 'ned' for hooligan or lout is cited by the Oxford English Dictionary as dating from the early 19th century. The OED also attributes a possible derivation from the 'Edward' diminutive.

Synonyms

charva, chav, scally, scanger, schemie, Senga, spide, yob, yobbo

Scrabble Score: 4

ned is not valid in Scrabble (US) TWL Dictionary
ned is not valid in Scrabble (MW) Merriam-Webster Dictionary
ned is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 5

ned is a valid Words With Friends word