name
Uncommon
Archie
AHT-shee
Archie (name) means a shortened, informal form of the given name Archibald, also used on its own. Example: “Everyone just calls him Archie, never Archibald.”
name
1
A shortened, informal form of the given name Archibald, also used on its own.
"Everyone just calls him Archie, never Archibald."
noun
1
An old slang term for anti-aircraft artillery, used by British and Commonwealth airmen.
"But then, dodging airbursts of Archie on the Western Front hadn't exactly been a joyride either."
— Pat Kelleher, The Alleyman (2012)
"I'll pretend I'm scared of everything and sideslip away from every archie burst."
— W E Johns, Biggles Learns to Fly (1935)
"The pilots joked nervously about dodging archie over enemy territory."
How to use Archie
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA common nickname for Archibald, or old slang for anti-aircraft fire.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Archies
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Everyone just calls him _____, never Archibald.
Etymology
A clipped form of "Archibald"; the anti-aircraft sense reportedly comes from a music-hall song refrain shouted by pilots under fire.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Archie
See all rhymes for Archie →Frequently asked questions
What does “Archie” mean?
The word “Archie” means a shortened, informal form of the given name Archibald, also used on its own. In plain terms, a common nickname for Archibald, or old slang for anti-aircraft fire.
How do you pronounce “Archie”?
“Archie” is pronounced AHT-shee (/ˈɑɹt͡ʃi/ in IPA).
How do you use “Archie” in a sentence?
Here is “Archie” used in a sentence: “Everyone just calls him Archie, never Archibald.”
What part of speech is “Archie”?
Depending on how it is used, “Archie” can be a name and a noun.
Is “Archie” a common word?
“Archie” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Archie” have?
“Archie” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a shortened, informal form of the given name Archibald, also used on its own.
What is the difference between Archie as a name and Archie as slang?
As a name, Archie is a shortened, informal form of Archibald, also used on its own as a given name. As slang, Archie was an old term for anti-aircraft artillery, used by British and Commonwealth airmen. These two uses are unrelated in meaning, one being a personal name and the other historical military slang.
Why was anti-aircraft artillery called Archie?
Archie was an old slang term specifically used by British and Commonwealth airmen to refer to anti-aircraft artillery. The definition identifies it as a historical, informal military usage rather than a technical or official term.
Is Archie always short for Archibald?
Archie is commonly a shortened, informal form of Archibald, though it is also used as a standalone given name in its own right. So while it often derives from Archibald, it does not always require that longer form.
