noun
Common
Wendy
WEHN-dee
Wendy (noun) means informal British slang for a cowardly or overly cautious person. Example: “Stop being such a wendy and just ask her to dance.”
noun
1
Informal British slang for a cowardly or overly cautious person.
"Stop being such a wendy and just ask her to dance."
How to use Wendy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSlang for someone acting timid or overly careful — much more common as a first name than in this slang sense.
When to use it
Very informal British slang; the everyday meaning of "Wendy" is simply a woman's given name.
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Word forms
- Plural
- wendies
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Stop being such a _____ and just ask her to dance.
Etymology
The given name Wendy was popularized by J. M. Barrie's play Peter Pan (1904); the slang sense of "coward" is a later, unrelated informal British usage.
Class of 1904
Wendy joined the language around 1904.
See the full Class of 1904 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for Wendy
See all rhymes for Wendy →Frequently asked questions
What does “Wendy” mean?
The word “Wendy” means informal British slang for a cowardly or overly cautious person. In plain terms, slang for someone acting timid or overly careful — much more common as a first name than in this slang sense.
How do you pronounce “Wendy”?
“Wendy” is pronounced WEHN-dee (/ˈwɛn.di/ in IPA).
How do you use “Wendy” in a sentence?
Here is “Wendy” used in a sentence: “Stop being such a wendy and just ask her to dance.”
What part of speech is “Wendy”?
“Wendy” is a noun.
Where does the word “Wendy” come from?
The word “Wendy” dates back to around 1904. The given name Wendy was popularized by J. M. Barrie's play Peter Pan (1904); the slang sense of "coward" is a later, unrelated informal British usage.
Is “Wendy” a common word?
“Wendy” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What does Wendy mean as British slang?
As informal British slang, Wendy refers to a cowardly or overly cautious person, distinct from its common use as a given name.
Is calling someone a Wendy formal or informal?
It is informal slang, typically used in casual British speech rather than formal writing, to describe someone seen as timid or overly careful.
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