noun
Uncommon
shorty
SHAW-tee
Shorty (noun) means someone or something shorter than average; often used as an affectionate nickname. Example: “His friends have called him "Shorty" since school.”
noun
1
Someone or something shorter than average; often used as an affectionate nickname.
"His friends have called him "Shorty" since school."
2
A wetsuit with short arms and legs.
"Now that it’s below 9C I’m layering a shorty wetsuit over a long-sleeve swimsuit, with neoprene socks and gloves."
— Kate Bussmann, Forget the Dryrobe – there’s a new versatile outfit for the nation’s wild swimmers (2022)
"Our instructors, Ryan and Shannon, offered us hot coffee to warm up, and a variety of wetsuit options to settle the attire issue. Carlos chose his own full suit. I grabbed my spring shorty with long sleeves."
— Catharine Cooper, Chasing Down The Muse: The art of the paddle (2010)
"She wore a shorty for the warmer summer surf."
How to use shorty
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn informal, often affectionate name for a short person, or a short-sleeved wetsuit.
When to use it
Informal; as a term for a person, tone depends heavily on context and relationship.
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Word forms
- Plural
- shorties
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His friends have called him "_____" since school.
Etymology
From short + -y.
Rhymes for shorty
See all rhymes for shorty →Frequently asked questions
What does “shorty” mean?
The word “shorty” means someone or something shorter than average; often used as an affectionate nickname. In plain terms, an informal, often affectionate name for a short person, or a short-sleeved wetsuit.
How do you pronounce “shorty”?
“Shorty” is pronounced SHAW-tee (/ˈʃoɹ.ti/ in IPA).
How do you use “shorty” in a sentence?
Here is “shorty” used in a sentence: “His friends have called him "Shorty" since school.”
What part of speech is “shorty”?
“Shorty” is a noun.
Is “shorty” a common word?
“Shorty” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “shorty” have?
“Shorty” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: someone or something shorter than average; often used as an affectionate nickname.
