noun Uncommon

Melvin

MEHL-vihn

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Melvin (noun) means a prank wedgie pulled from the front rather than from behind. Example: “His older brother gave him a melvin in front of the whole class.”

noun

A prank wedgie pulled from the front rather than from behind.

"His older brother gave him a melvin in front of the whole class."

Informal, dated: an awkward or unfashionable person; a nerd.

"The movie cast him as the classic melvin who gets picked last for every team."

How to use Melvin

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSlang for a specific kind of wedgie, or an old-fashioned put-down for an uncool, socially awkward person.

When to use it

Very informal and mostly dated slang, rarely heard outside American teen comedies from the 1980s-90s.

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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: melvins

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His older brother gave him a _____ in front of the whole class.

Etymology

A variant of the Scottish surname Melville, which comes from the place name Malleville in Normandy, itself from Latin mala (“bad”) plus Old French ville (“settlement”). It has also been used to anglicize Mac Gille Beathain in Scotland and Ó Maoil Mhín in Ireland.

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for Melvin

Elvin kelvin

See all rhymes for Melvin →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Melvin” mean?

The word “Melvin” means a prank wedgie pulled from the front rather than from behind. In plain terms, slang for a specific kind of wedgie, or an old-fashioned put-down for an uncool, socially awkward person.

How do you pronounce “Melvin”?

“Melvin” is pronounced MEHL-vihn (/ˈmɛlvɪn/ in IPA).

How do you use “Melvin” in a sentence?

Here is “Melvin” used in a sentence: “His older brother gave him a melvin in front of the whole class.”

What part of speech is “Melvin”?

“Melvin” is a noun.

Is “Melvin” a common word?

“Melvin” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “Melvin” have?

“Melvin” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a prank wedgie pulled from the front rather than from behind.