noun
Common
Tommy
TO-mee
Tommy (noun) means informal nickname for a British soldier, especially historically. Example: “The war memorial honours the tommies who never came home.”
noun
1
Informal nickname for a British soldier, especially historically.
"The war memorial honours the tommies who never came home."
How to use Tommy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA traditional nickname for a British Army soldier, especially from WWI/WWII.
When to use it
Informal and mostly historical; you will meet it in war writing and old songs.
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- tommies
- Past tense
- tommied
Etymology
From "Tommy," a shortened, affectionate form of the given name Thomas, historically used as a generic name for a British private soldier.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Tommy
See all rhymes for Tommy →Frequently asked questions
What does “Tommy” mean?
The word “Tommy” means informal nickname for a British soldier, especially historically. In plain terms, a traditional nickname for a British Army soldier, especially from WWI/WWII.
How do you pronounce “Tommy”?
“Tommy” is pronounced TO-mee (/ˈtɑmi/ in IPA).
How do you use “Tommy” in a sentence?
Here is “Tommy” used in a sentence: “The war memorial honours the tommies who never came home.”
What part of speech is “Tommy”?
“Tommy” is a noun.
Is “Tommy” a common word?
“Tommy” is a fairly common word in modern English.
Where does the nickname "Tommy" for a British soldier come from?
"Tommy" comes from "Tommy Atkins," a stock name long used as an example of a typical British soldier on army paperwork. It became an informal nickname for the ordinary British soldier, especially of the First and Second World Wars.
When would you use the word "Tommy"?
"Tommy" is an informal, historical term for an ordinary British soldier, most associated with the World Wars. Today it appears mainly in history books, war poetry, and remembrance contexts rather than everyday speech.
What is the difference between a "Tommy" and a "GI"?
"Tommy" refers to a British soldier, while "GI" refers to an American one. Both are informal nicknames from the World War era, each tied to its own army.
Is "Tommy" capitalised?
When it means a British soldier, "Tommy" is usually capitalised because it derives from the personal name Tommy. The same spelling is also a common short form of the first name Thomas.
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