meanie: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Informal, often colloquial; can be childish, teasing, or affectionately critical. Rarely used in serious or formal contexts.
Quick answer
What does “meanie” mean?
A mildly derogatory, childish, or teasing term for a person who is unkind, unfair, or stingy.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A mildly derogatory, childish, or teasing term for a person who is unkind, unfair, or stingy.
Can be used to describe someone, especially in a mock-complaining or humorous way, who is being mean (unkind, cruel, or overly strict). It often trivializes the behavior, framing it as petulant rather than truly malicious.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is recognized and used in both varieties. The spelling "meanie" is standard in both, though "meaney" is a less common variant. No major syntactic differences.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries a childish or playful tone. In the UK, it might be slightly more associated with children's direct speech. In the US, it can be used by adults in a self-consciously ironic or jocular way.
Frequency
Moderately low frequency in both, but arguably slightly more common in American casual speech and media, often in phrases like "Don't be such a meanie!"
Grammar
How to Use “meanie” in a Sentence
Don't be a meanie!She called him a meanie for not sharing.You're such a meanie!Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Used in informal, familiar, or light-hearted contexts among peers, with children, or humorously with adults.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “meanie”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “meanie”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “meanie”
- Using it in a formal complaint or serious argument (register error).
- Spelling as 'meany' (less standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not a serious insult. It is a mild, often childish or playful term used to chide someone for minor unkindness or stinginess.
Yes, but primarily in informal, humorous, or ironic contexts. Used straightforwardly between adults, it can sound deliberately childish or affectionate.
A 'bully' implies deliberate, repeated intimidation and cruelty, often with a power imbalance. A 'meanie' describes someone who is simply being unkind, unfair, or stingy, usually in a single, less severe instance.
While sometimes seen, 'meanie' is the standard and more common spelling. 'Meaney' is a less frequent variant.
A mildly derogatory, childish, or teasing term for a person who is unkind, unfair, or stingy.
Meanie is usually informal, often colloquial; can be childish, teasing, or affectionately critical. rarely used in serious or formal contexts. in register.
Meanie: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmiːni/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmini/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Don't be a meanie (be a queenie)! (rhyming, playful)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
MEAN + IE. Think of a person who is being mean, and you add a childish '-ie' ending, like 'doggy' or 'daddy'.
Conceptual Metaphor
BAD BEHAVIOR IS CHILDISHNESS (framing unkindness as immature)
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'meanie' be LEAST appropriate?