Wendy
2 synonyms for Wendy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Informal British slang for a cowardly or overly cautious person.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
The given name Wendy was popularized by J. M. Barrie's play Peter Pan (1904); the slang sense of "coward" is a later, unrelated informal British usage.
Full origin of Wendy →Frequently asked questions
What does “Wendy” mean?
The word “Wendy” means informal British slang for a cowardly or overly cautious person. In plain terms, slang for someone acting timid or overly careful — much more common as a first name than in this slang sense.
How do you pronounce “Wendy”?
“Wendy” is pronounced WEHN-dee (/ˈwɛn.di/ in IPA).
How do you use “Wendy” in a sentence?
Here is “Wendy” used in a sentence: “Stop being such a wendy and just ask her to dance.”
What part of speech is “Wendy”?
“Wendy” is a noun.
Where does the word “Wendy” come from?
The word “Wendy” dates back to around 1904. The given name Wendy was popularized by J. M. Barrie's play Peter Pan (1904); the slang sense of "coward" is a later, unrelated informal British usage.
Is “Wendy” a common word?
“Wendy” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What does Wendy mean as British slang?
As informal British slang, Wendy refers to a cowardly or overly cautious person, distinct from its common use as a given name.
Is calling someone a Wendy formal or informal?
It is informal slang, typically used in casual British speech rather than formal writing, to describe someone seen as timid or overly careful.
