name
Uncommon
Percy
PUR-see
Percy (name) means a male given name, either transferred from the English surname or a shortened form of Percival. Example: “His full name was Percival, but everyone called him Percy.”
name
1
A male given name, either transferred from the English surname or a shortened form of Percival.
"His full name was Percival, but everyone called him Percy."
noun
1
An old-fashioned, dismissive term for a man seen as weak or effeminate.
"The other soldiers mocked him as a bit of a percy."
2
Older British slang for a conscientious objector.
How to use Percy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMainly a British male name; also old slang for an unmanly man.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Percies
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His full name was Percival, but everyone called him _____.
Etymology
The surname traces to a Norman place name, Percy-en-Auge in Normandy. As slang for "weak man," it likely comes simply from the two words sharing the same first letter.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Percy
See all rhymes for Percy →Frequently asked questions
What does “Percy” mean?
The word “Percy” means a male given name, either transferred from the English surname or a shortened form of Percival. In plain terms, mainly a British male name; also old slang for an unmanly man.
How do you pronounce “Percy”?
“Percy” is pronounced PUR-see (/ˈpɜɹsi/ in IPA).
How do you use “Percy” in a sentence?
Here is “Percy” used in a sentence: “His full name was Percival, but everyone called him Percy.”
What part of speech is “Percy”?
Depending on how it is used, “Percy” can be a name and a noun.
Is “Percy” a common word?
“Percy” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Percy” have?
“Percy” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a male given name, either transferred from the English surname or a shortened form of Percival.
Is calling someone a "Percy" considered insulting?
Yes, used as a common noun rather than a name, "Percy" is an old-fashioned, dismissive term for a man seen as weak or effeminate, so it can cause offense.
Is Percy short for Percival?
Yes, Percy can be used as a shortened form of Percival, though it also functions as an independent given name transferred from an English surname.
What did "Percy" mean in older British slang?
In older British slang, "Percy" was used to refer to a conscientious objector, someone who refused to fight in war on moral or religious grounds.
