piggy

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

pig +‎ -y

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈpɪɡi/
  • Audio (AU)(file)
  • Rhymes: -ɪɡi
  • Hyphenation: pig‧gy

Noun

piggy (plural piggies)

  1. (hypocoristic) A pig (the animal).
    This little piggy went to market.
    • 1886, Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, H.L. Brækstad, transl., Folk and Fairy Tales, page 278:
      "Where might you come from?" When she had got a satisfactory answer to this, she continued, while she repeatedly addressed herself to the young pigs: "Ah, so! you are at school at the parson's, eh! - hush, hush! little piggies then!"
  2. (hypocoristic) A guinea pig.
    • 2009, Elvio Romeo, The Ultimate Guinea Pig Handbook, page 56:
      If you're dead-set on breeding your piggies, here are some things to remember and purchase […]
  3. (hypocoristic, slang) A toe.
    He has such cute piggies!
  4. (mildly derogatory) A pig, a greedy person.
    Can't you finish your dinner? You've been a piggy, haven't you?
  5. (derogatory, slang, UK) A member of the police.

Derived terms

Adjective

piggy (comparative piggier, superlative piggiest)

  1. greedy
  2. slovenly, dirty
    • 1983, Stephen King, Word Processor of the Gods:
      He himself, who had always tried to be gentle and good (whatever “good” meant in this crazy world), had married Lina, who had developed into a silent, piggy woman, and had gotten Seth by her.

Derived terms
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