dickens
- noun
- /ˈdɪkənz/
- Archaic
:
lío
- He went through the wringer and found organizing the event to be a real dickens of a task.
Examples
-
When the meeting turned chaotic, she exclaimed it was a dickens of a situation.
-
Trying to fix the computer turned out to be a dickens and left me feeling frustrated.
-
It expands like the Dickens in the direction of these weak bonds.
-
They watched and threw up their hands and ran like the Dickens, not knowing he had a no money and B they could have won and held their position.
Synonyms
17
8.4
A short phrase people say when they feel frustrated or disappointed
4
9.9
A short informal word people say when they feel surprise, shock, or annoyance
1
9.9
A strong shout that shows surprise or confusion
1
8.6
A mild word people use to show they are annoyed about something
To ask in surprise where someone or something is
A mild, old-fashioned exclamation said when you feel annoyed or disappointed
Very bad and annoying
Idioms
How Troubled
- Archaic
- Informal
1
9.9
- Informal
45
7.6
- Informal
1
8.8
∞
1.0
Surface Forms
Etymology
A dickens in phrases like 'a dickens of a time' comes from the same idea of the 'devil' causing trouble, so it means a lot of 'trouble' or a big mess.