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
1
An informal, often Southern US, word for father.
"He grew up on the farm his pappy built."
adj
1
Soft and mushy, like baby food.
"The overcooked rice turned pappy."
How to use pappy
Learner’s notesIn 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).
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Word forms
- Plural
- pappies
- Comparative
- pappier
- Superlative
- pappiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He grew up on the farm his _____ built.
Etymology
From pap ("soft food") + -y.
Rhymes for pappy
See all rhymes for pappy →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.
