noun

pappy

PA-pee

Pappy (noun) means an informal, often Southern US, word for father. Example: “He grew up on the farm his pappy built.”

noun

An informal, often Southern US, word for father.

"He grew up on the farm his pappy built."

adj

Soft and mushy, like baby food.

"The overcooked rice turned pappy."

How to use pappy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn affectionate, old-fashioned word for "dad," or an adjective meaning soft and mushy.

When to use it

Informal and regional (especially rural US Southern speech).

Word forms

pappier comparative, pappies plural, pappiest superlative

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He grew up on the farm his _____ built.

Etymology

From pap ("soft food") + -y.

Rhymes for pappy

appy happy nappy sappy cappy chappy crappy snappy slappy scrappy unhappy

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Frequently asked questions

What does “pappy” mean?

The word “pappy” means an informal, often Southern US, word for father. In plain terms, an affectionate, old-fashioned word for "dad," or an adjective meaning soft and mushy.

How do you pronounce “pappy”?

“Pappy” is pronounced PA-pee (/ˈpæpi/ in IPA).

How do you use “pappy” in a sentence?

Here is “pappy” used in a sentence: “He grew up on the farm his pappy built.”

What part of speech is “pappy”?

Depending on how it is used, “pappy” can be a noun and an adjective.

How many meanings does “pappy” have?

“Pappy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an informal, often Southern US, word for father.