noun
Common
Jerry
JEH-ree
Jerry (noun) means a casual nickname for Gerald, Gerard, Jeremy, or similar names. Example: “His full name is Gerald, but everyone calls him Jerry.”
noun
1
A casual nickname for Gerald, Gerard, Jeremy, or similar names.
"His full name is Gerald, but everyone calls him Jerry."
2
Old-fashioned slang for a German person, especially a soldier in World War I or II.
"Wartime letters home often mentioned encounters with "the Jerries.""
adjective
1
Built cheaply and carelessly; jerry-built.
"The shed was a jerry job that leaked the first time it rained."
How to use Jerry
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA common nickname, or dated slang for a German soldier.
Easily confused with
jerry-built
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Word forms
- Plural
- Jerrys, Jerries
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His full name is Gerald, but everyone calls him _____.
Etymology
A diminutive of "Gerald" and related names, later applied as slang for Germans, possibly from the resemblance of German helmets to chamber pots.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Jerry
See all rhymes for Jerry →Frequently asked questions
What does “Jerry” mean?
The word “Jerry” means a casual nickname for Gerald, Gerard, Jeremy, or similar names. In plain terms, a common nickname, or dated slang for a German soldier.
How do you pronounce “Jerry”?
“Jerry” is pronounced JEH-ree (/ˈd͡ʒɛɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “Jerry” in a sentence?
Here is “Jerry” used in a sentence: “His full name is Gerald, but everyone calls him Jerry.”
What part of speech is “Jerry”?
Depending on how it is used, “Jerry” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “Jerry” come from?
The word “Jerry” comes from German. A diminutive of "Gerald" and related names, later applied as slang for Germans, possibly from the resemblance of German helmets to chamber pots.
Is “Jerry” a common word?
“Jerry” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Jerry” have?
“Jerry” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a casual nickname for Gerald, Gerard, Jeremy, or similar names.
What is the difference between "Jerry" and "Gerry" as nicknames?
Both are informal short forms, but "Jerry" is commonly used for names like Gerald, Gerard, or Jeremy, while "Gerry" is a spelling more often linked to Gerald or Geraldine. The two sound the same, and which spelling is used is largely personal preference.
Why was "Jerry" used to mean a German soldier?
"Jerry" was British slang for German soldiers, especially during the First and Second World Wars. It is an informal, dated term now heard mainly in historical or nostalgic contexts.
Is "Jerry" capitalized?
As a personal nickname, "Jerry" is capitalized like any given name. When used as old slang for a German person it was also usually capitalized, as in "the Jerries."
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