noun

appy

A-pee

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Appy (noun) means a small dish served before the main course; a casual short form of "appetizer.". Example: “We split a few appies while we waited for our table.”

noun

A small dish served before the main course; a casual short form of "appetizer."

"We split a few appies while we waited for our table."

"The bar has a happy hour with half-price appies."

A casual, informal short form of "appendix," "appendicitis," or "appendectomy" (as in "my appy burst" or "I had my appy out").

"He was rushed to hospital with a suspected appy."

"She's recovering fine after her appy last week."

How to use appy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA shortened, informal nickname — either for a starter dish or for anything to do with the appendix.

Common mistake

Context decides the meaning — "appy" at a restaurant means a starter, but "appy" in a hospital conversation almost always means the appendix.

When to use it

Very casual; the food sense is common in Canadian and some US restaurant slang, while the medical sense is informal patient/hospital talk.

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: appies, appys

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He was rushed to hospital with a suspected _____.

Etymology

Formed by clipping a longer word — "appetizer" or "appendix/appendicitis/appendectomy" — down to "appy" and adding the informal "-y" ending.

Rhymes for appy

happy nappy pappy sappy cappy chappy crappy snappy slappy scrappy unhappy

See all rhymes for appy →

Frequently asked questions

What does “appy” mean?

The word “appy” means a small dish served before the main course; a casual short form of "appetizer.". In plain terms, a shortened, informal nickname — either for a starter dish or for anything to do with the appendix.

How do you pronounce “appy”?

“Appy” is pronounced A-pee (/ˈæ.pi/ in IPA).

How do you use “appy” in a sentence?

Here is “appy” used in a sentence: “The bar has a happy hour with half-price appies.”

What part of speech is “appy”?

“Appy” is a noun.

How many meanings does “appy” have?

“Appy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small dish served before the main course; a casual short form of "appetizer.".