fogy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low to Medium (more frequent in literary/descriptive contexts than everyday conversation)Informal, often mildly derogatory. Used in narrative, opinion pieces, and humorous criticism.
Quick answer
What does “fogy” mean?
An elderly person, especially a man, who is old-fashioned, conservative, or resistant to new ideas.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An elderly person, especially a man, who is old-fashioned, conservative, or resistant to new ideas.
Often used pejoratively to describe someone with antiquated or rigid views, especially regarding social customs, technology, or progressive change. Can also refer to a person in a position of authority who is seen as blocking innovation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: 'fogy' is the primary spelling in AmE, while 'fogey' is equally/more common in BrE. The plural is 'fogies' or 'fogeys'.
Connotations
Largely identical in connotation. The term 'old fog(e)y' is a common collocation in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more literary/archaic feel in AmE; still recognisable but perhaps more readily used in BrE.
Grammar
How to Use “fogy” in a Sentence
[be/act like/sound like] a fogythat old fogya fogy about [topic]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “fogy” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The committee seems to fogey on about tradition whenever change is proposed. (rare, non-standard)
American English
- He fogied his way through the meeting, opposing every new software. (rare, non-standard)
adverb
British English
- He argued fogeyishly for the return of handwritten ledgers. (rare)
American English
- The policy was fogily maintained despite clear evidence it failed. (rare)
adjective
British English
- His fogyish insistence on wearing a suit in the casual office was noted. (adj: fogyish/fogeyish)
American English
- The club's fogyish membership rules kept young people from joining.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Critiquing management resistant to digital transformation: 'The board is full of fogies who still think paper memos are efficient.'
Academic
Describing historical or theoretical opposition to new paradigms: 'The young scholar's thesis was dismissed by the academic fogies of his day.'
Everyday
Playfully criticising a parent or older relative: 'Don't be such an old fogy, Dad—streaming films is easy!'
Technical
Rare in technical contexts. Might appear in socio-technical critiques of institutional inertia.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “fogy”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “fogy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fogy”
- Misspelling: 'foggy' (which means misty).
- Using for any old person without the connotation of stubborn, outdated views.
- Overusing; it's a colourful term, not a neutral descriptor.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Conservative' is a neutral or formal term for someone favouring tradition. 'Fogy' is informal and derogatory, implying that such conservatism is stubborn, outdated, and obstructive.
Yes, humorously or metaphorically. If a young person has extremely old-fashioned, inflexible tastes or opinions for their age, they might be called a 'young fogy'.
Essentially, yes. 'Fogey' is the more common traditional British spelling, while 'fogy' is standard in American English. However, both spellings are understood in both varieties.
It is mildly derogatory and can be offensive if directed personally at someone. It is often used in a humorous or teasing way among friends/family, or critically in writing/speech about public figures or institutions.
An elderly person, especially a man, who is old-fashioned, conservative, or resistant to new ideas.
Fogy is usually informal, often mildly derogatory. used in narrative, opinion pieces, and humorous criticism. in register.
Fogy: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfəʊɡi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfoʊɡi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “old fog(e)y”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a FOG shrouding an old, dusty house. The person inside is a FOG(Y), stuck in the fog of the past, unable to see new ideas clearly.
Conceptual Metaphor
PEOPLE ARE OBJECTS/RELICTS (an outdated object, a fossil, a relic). STUBBORNNESS IS IMMOVABILITY (a stick-in-the-mud).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'fogy' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?