biddy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, colloquial, dated, potentially offensive
Quick answer
What does “biddy” mean?
A chicken, especially a hen (chiefly in informal or old-fashioned use).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A chicken, especially a hen (chiefly in informal or old-fashioned use).
A woman, especially an old or gossipy one (often derogatory and dated). Also, a young woman (Irish English, informal).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The 'hen' sense is recognised but rare in both. The derogatory 'old woman' sense is more established in AmE historical/cultural usage (e.g., 'old biddy'). The Irish English sense for a young woman is specific to IrE.
Connotations
In AmE, strongly connotes an elderly, interfering, or gossipy woman. In BrE, the word is less common and may simply sound old-fashioned rather than specifically offensive.
Frequency
Very low frequency in modern standard English in both regions, mostly found in historical contexts, regional dialects, or as a deliberate archaic/offensive characterisation.
Grammar
How to Use “biddy” in a Sentence
Old + biddy (derogatory noun phrase)Little + biddy (diminutive, AmE informal)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “biddy” in a Sentence
adjective
American English
- He only caught a little biddy fish. (informal, diminutive)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical/linguistic studies of pejoration or slang.
Everyday
Very rare. Potentially offensive if used for a person.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “biddy”
- Using it to refer respectfully to any older woman.
- Assuming it is a standard, inoffensive word like 'lady'.
- Overusing due to its catchy sound.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when used to refer to a woman, especially an older one, it is derogatory, dismissive, and dated. The 'hen' sense is not offensive but is informal/old-fashioned.
It is a pet form of the name Bridget, used as a generic name for an Irish maid servant in the 18th century, later applied to hens and then to women pejoratively.
In some American informal dialects, 'little biddy' or 'teensy biddy' is used as a playful reduplication meaning 'very small'.
Only at advanced levels (C1/C2) for recognition purposes, with strong warnings about its offensive nature and rarity. It is not an active vocabulary target.
A chicken, especially a hen (chiefly in informal or old-fashioned use).
Biddy is usually informal, colloquial, dated, potentially offensive in register.
Biddy: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɪdi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɪdi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Old biddies' knitting circle (derogatory for a gossipy group)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
BIDDY rhymes with KITTY, but instead of a cat, think of a clucking hen or a woman who 'bids' (tells) everyone her gossip.
Conceptual Metaphor
WOMAN IS A BIRD (hen): implies chatter (clucking), fussiness, and being kept/domesticated.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'biddy' potentially a neutral term?