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dalaal

An Indian and South Asian term with two distinct but related senses: a pimp or procurer, and more broadly an intermediary, broker, or go-between in commercial dealings.

dəˈlɑl126 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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3 definitions
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#1·Apr 28, 2026

An Indian and South Asian term with two distinct but related senses: a pimp or procurer, and more broadly an intermediary, broker, or go-between in commercial dealings. The broker sense is the older and more formal one; the pimp sense is a derived, often pejorative extension. Used across Hindi, Urdu, and related languages.

Everyone knew the local dalaal who could connect buyers with sellers for a cut of whatever was agreed.
Origin: From Arabic-Urdu dallal, meaning a broker or intermediary, from dal (to guide or direct). Editorial expansion authored on Slangora.
For parents

Dalaal means: An Indian and South Asian term with two distinct but related senses: a pimp or procurer, and more broadly an intermediary, broker, or go-between in commercial dealings. The broker sense is the older. It is mainly Indian English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour.

For ESL learners

dalaal means: An Indian and South Asian term with two distinct but related senses: a pimp or procurer, and more broadly an intermediary, broker, or go-between in commercial dealings. The broker. Register: informal, Indian English. Often not understood outside its region; gloss the word on first use when writing for an international audience. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.

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#2·Apr 27, 2026

(India) A pimp.

Cluster: general
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#3·Apr 27, 2026

(India) An intermediary or go-between.

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For specific readers

Dalaal means: An Indian and South Asian term with two distinct but related senses: a pimp or procurer, and more broadly an intermediary, broker, or go-between in commercial dealings. The broker sense is the older. It is mainly Indian English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour.

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

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🗺️About Regional & Other slang

Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.

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