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damber

(obsolete, UK, thieves) A rascal; a dishonest person; a man belonging to a criminal gang.

ˈdæm.bə(ɹ)133 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🇬🇧 British & Irish slang
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Definitions

UK
#1·Apr 27, 2026UK

(obsolete, UK, thieves) A rascal; a dishonest person; a man belonging to a criminal gang.

For parents

Damber means: A rascal; a dishonest person; a man belonging to a criminal gang.. The word is mostly archaic or historical; you will only encounter it in old texts, period drama, or school history rather than current teen conversation. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. This is a food-related word and harmless in itself.

For ESL learners

damber means: A rascal; a dishonest person; a man belonging to a criminal gang.. Register: archaic, historical. Almost never used today; you will find it only in older texts, dictionaries of dialect, or historical writing. Avoid in active vocabulary. 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.

Cluster: criminal
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For specific readers

Damber means: A rascal; a dishonest person; a man belonging to a criminal gang.. The word is mostly archaic or historical; you will only encounter it in old texts, period drama, or school history rather than current teen conversation. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. This is a food-related word and harmless in itself.

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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UK

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🇬🇧About British & Irish slang slang

UK and Irish slang — Cockney, Scouse, Geordie, Yorkshire, Glaswegian, Brummie, Welsh, West Country, plus Irish English. Centuries of regional dialects feeding into modern British and Irish street talk.

See all British & Irish slang slang on Slangora.

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