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noun

biddy

BIH-dee

Biddy (noun) means an informal, often unkind term for an older woman seen as fussy or gossipy. Example: “The old biddy next door complains about every little noise.”

noun
1
An informal, often unkind term for an older woman seen as fussy or gossipy.
"The old biddy next door complains about every little noise."
2
A call used to summon a hen or chicken.
"She called "here, biddy, biddy" as she scattered the feed."

How to use biddy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA dismissive term for an old, fussy woman, or a word used to call chickens.

When to use it

The "old woman" sense is informal and can come across as insulting.

Word forms

biddies plural, biddies plural

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The old _____ next door complains about every little noise.

Etymology

Originally a diminutive of the name Bridget, which became a generic nickname for Irish maidservants in the United States, and later shifted to mean any old woman.

Origin: Irish

Related words

Rhymes for biddy

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Frequently asked questions

What does “biddy” mean?

The word “biddy” means an informal, often unkind term for an older woman seen as fussy or gossipy. In plain terms, a dismissive term for an old, fussy woman, or a word used to call chickens.

How do you pronounce “biddy”?

“Biddy” is pronounced BIH-dee (/ˈbɪdi/ in IPA).

How do you use “biddy” in a sentence?

Here is “biddy” used in a sentence: “The old biddy next door complains about every little noise.”

What part of speech is “biddy”?

“Biddy” is a noun.

Where does the word “biddy” come from?

The word “biddy” comes from Irish. Originally a diminutive of the name Bridget, which became a generic nickname for Irish maidservants in the United States, and later shifted to mean any old woman.

How many meanings does “biddy” have?

“Biddy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an informal, often unkind term for an older woman seen as fussy or gossipy.

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