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shorty

shorty

62 9.0
An affectionate slang word often used for a girlfriend or close friend
  • noun
  • /ˈʃɔrti/
  • Slang
translation icon : nena
  • Oh, I know you're going through some stuff, but it's going to be all right, shorty, you know.
  • call me shorty
  • Hey, shorty
  • Yo, shorty

Shorty want a thug, but douche douche Shorty want a thug though.

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Examples

  • A pickup truck drove up with Shorty at the wheel.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • My little brother likes to hang out with his friend, shorty, after school.

  • But I was upset that Shorty had asked me that question.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • I met Shorty only once, years ago, when he dropped by one Christmas.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • - Now it's your turn, shorty.

    Orgazmo (1998)

  • I know Shorty.

    The War Below (2021)

  • Here's that Argosy magazine you wanted, Shorty.

    Birdman of Alcatraz (1962)

  • Somehow, twenty-two-year-old Shorty had fallen in love with my mother, a sharp-tongued, thirty-two-year-old telephone operator.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • Malcolm and Shorty come strutting down the street: two conked, zoot-suited sharpies.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • I called my girlfriend to make sure she was ready, but she said she was running late, shorty.

Synonyms

sweetie
vsshorty
  • Informal
558 2.8

A person you love or care for very much

is more casual slang and also used for very young or small people
babe
vsshorty
  • Informal
308 8.1

A name you call someone you love

is broader, also used for small people or casual close friends
girlie
vsshorty
  • Informal
14 5.6

A young woman or a close female friend said in a friendly, playful way

is broader and applies to both small people and adult friends
hon
vsshorty
  • Informal
11 8.2

A short, loving name for a partner or close friend

is less tied to romantic address and also covers small people or young friends
bubby
vsshorty
  • Informal
8 9.1

A friendly name for a close friend

is more playful slang used also for small people or young loved ones
dearie
vsshorty
  • Informal
6 8.1

A word used to show love or kindness to someone

is less formal and also names short people or young companions in slang
lovey
vsshorty
  • Informal
5 7.5

A gentle name used for someone you love

is broader and can mean a small person or casual close friend
chickie
vsshorty
  • Informal
5 9.1

An informal, friendly name for a girlfriend or young woman

is broader, also used for anyone small or a close friend of any gender
dovey
vsshorty
  • Informal
4 9.5

A person you love and feel close to

is less strictly romantic and applies to small or close friends too
poochie
vsshorty
  • Informal
2 9.1

A loving nickname for a child or someone you love

is broader slang also used for small people or close friends
tootsie
vsshorty
  • Informal
2 9.3

A friendly name for someone you love or like

is broader, used for any small person, friend, or young one
poopie
vsshorty
  • Informal
2 9.6

A loving nickname for a baby or someone you care for

is less child specific, used for small adults and friends too
deary
vsshorty
  • UK
2 8.4

A person you love or care about, often called this name to show love

is more slangy and adds the meaning of smallness or youth sometimes
duckie
vsshorty
  • Informal
1 8.9

A friendly name for a person, or a small duck

is more general slang that also stresses smallness or youth in people
chicky
vsshorty
  • Slang
1 9.9

A friendly name for a young woman used to show that you like her

is broader, used for small people or any close friend regardless of age
kiddy
vsshorty
  • Informal
1 7.5

A young child

is broader, also used affectionately for small adults or friends
shortie
vsshorty
  • Slang
1 8.9

A friendly name for a young or small person

is the same slang sense but spelled differently
chérie
vsshorty
  • Informal
1 9.8

A French word used to call someone you love, like 'darling'

is the everyday slang alternative used for small people or friends
babby
vsshorty
  • Informal
9.9

A name someone uses to show love for a partner or close friend

is more general, used also for small people or young friends
popsy
vsshorty
  • Informal
8.7

A friendly loving name for a child or someone you love

is not only for children but for small adults and friends too

How Affectionate

darling
  • Informal
∞ 1.0
babe
  • Informal
308 8.1
shorty
  • Slang
62 9.0
friend
∞ 1.0
acquaintance
114 3.5

Surface Forms

shorty singular
shorties plural

Morphology

shorty = short (semi-transparent) = short + y

The base 'short' suggests smallness, but the slang/diminutive uses (affectionate term for a person, romantic partner, or attractive young woman) extend beyond literal size and involve pragmatic/social meanings.

Etymology

Shorty as a friendly or loving name comes from short + -y, meaning 'small'. It first meant a small person and then became a pet name for a girlfriend, close friend, or child, which is why people use it as an affectionate term today.