name
Common
Charlie
CHAHR-lee
Charlie (name) means a given name used for both men and women, an informal short form of Charles, Charlotte, or Charlene. Example: “Charlie waved from across the street.”
name
1
A given name used for both men and women, an informal short form of Charles, Charlotte, or Charlene.
"Charlie waved from across the street."
noun
1
(informal, British) A foolish or silly person.
"He felt like a right charlie after tripping in front of everyone."
2
(slang) Cocaine.
"The film glamorised a lifestyle built around parties and charlie."
3
The radio alphabet code word for the letter C.
"The pilot confirmed, "Charlie, Alpha, Tango.""
How to use Charlie
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMostly a first name; in slang it can also mean a fool or, in Britain, cocaine.
When to use it
The "fool" and "cocaine" senses are informal slang — avoid in formal writing.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like Charlie.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- Charlies
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ waved from across the street.
Etymology
A pet form of Charles; the slang senses (fool, cocaine) developed later through informal British and American usage.
Related words
Rhymes for Charlie
See all rhymes for Charlie →Frequently asked questions
What does “Charlie” mean?
The word “Charlie” means a given name used for both men and women, an informal short form of Charles, Charlotte, or Charlene. In plain terms, mostly a first name; in slang it can also mean a fool or, in Britain, cocaine.
How do you pronounce “Charlie”?
“Charlie” is pronounced CHAHR-lee (/ˈtʃɑɹli/ in IPA).
How do you use “Charlie” in a sentence?
Here is “Charlie” used in a sentence: “Charlie waved from across the street.”
What is another word for “Charlie”?
Words with a similar meaning to “Charlie” include Charley, Charlee, Charli and Charleigh.
What part of speech is “Charlie”?
Depending on how it is used, “Charlie” can be a name and a noun.
Is “Charlie” a common word?
“Charlie” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Charlie” have?
“Charlie” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a given name used for both men and women, an informal short form of Charles, Charlotte, or Charlene.
What is Charlie short for?
Charlie is usually a nickname rather than a full name. For boys it most often shortens Charles; for girls it commonly comes from Charlotte or Charlene. Many people are given Charlie in its own right on their birth certificate, but historically it began as an affectionate short form of these longer names.
What does the name Charlie mean?
Through Charles, Charlie traces back to a Germanic root meaning 'free man' or simply 'man'. Charlotte, the feminine source, carries the same sense. So whether given to a boy or a girl, the name broadly conveys the idea of a free person, which adds to its warm, down-to-earth appeal.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include Charlie:
