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noun

neddy

NEH-dee
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Neddy (noun) means informal British: a donkey. Example: “The farm let children ride a neddy along the beach.”

noun
1
Informal British: a donkey.
"The farm let children ride a neddy along the beach."
2
Dated slang: a foolish or contemptible person.
"“The neddies might call it a machine. They might think you guilty of machinism.” “Hang the stupid neddies!” Kieron carefully loosened the mooring, and the balloon rose." — Edmund Cooper, The Cloud Walker (1973)
"Stop acting like such a neddy."

How to use neddy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA pet name for a donkey, or old slang for someone acting foolishly.

When to use it

Old-fashioned and informal; not common in modern speech.

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Word forms

Plural
neddies
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The farm let children ride a _____ along the beach.

Etymology

From "Ned" (a nickname for Edward) + -y, following the old habit of giving animals human nicknames.

Rhymes for neddy

See all rhymes for neddy →

Frequently asked questions

What does “neddy” mean?
The word “neddy” means informal British: a donkey. In plain terms, a pet name for a donkey, or old slang for someone acting foolishly.
How do you pronounce “neddy”?
“Neddy” is pronounced NEH-dee (/ˈnɛdi/ in IPA).
How do you use “neddy” in a sentence?
Here is “neddy” used in a sentence: “The farm let children ride a neddy along the beach.”
What part of speech is “neddy”?
“Neddy” is a noun.
How many meanings does “neddy” have?
“Neddy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: informal British: a donkey.