Dickensian Meaning in English
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Definition
Describes something that is similar to the world or style found in Charles Dickens’s novels, usually with references to poverty, hard living conditions, and sometimes old-fashioned settings.
Usage & Nuances
Mainly used in literary, journalistic, or critical contexts to evoke images of Victorian England, especially overcrowded cities, poverty, and social injustice. Often capitalized ('Dickensian'). Not commonly used in everyday speech. Can also describe anything reminiscent of Dickens’s themes, not just physical settings.
Example Sentences
The movie showed Dickensian streets full of poor families.
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Many people lived in Dickensian conditions during that time.
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The orphanage had a very Dickensian atmosphere.
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His apartment was so cold and shabby, it felt almost Dickensian.
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The story has a Dickensian cast of colorful, struggling characters.
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When people talk about Dickensian poverty, they usually mean extreme hardship and neglect.
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