adj
Meaning 1
Jerry-built.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: dated, not-comparable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Standard Lemma guide
Jerry
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
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UK: /ˈdʒɛɹi/
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Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
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rhymes with -ɛɹi
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/ˈd͡ʒɛɹi/
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Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
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CMU ARPABET: JH EH1 R IY0 Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
name
Meaning 2
A diminutive of the male given names Gerald, Gerard, Jeremy, Jeremiah, Jared, Jerome, Jermaine, Jerrold, or similar male given names.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
name
Meaning 3
A diminutive of the female given names Geraldine or Jerilyn.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
name
Meaning 4
An unincorporated community in Asotin County, Washington, United States; named for early rancher Jerry McGuire.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
name
Meaning 5
A personification of the German people.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: UK, US, dated, ethnic, slur
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 6
Alternative letter-case form of jerry (“a chamber pot”).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: alt-of
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 7
A German, particularly a male German.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: UK, US, dated, ethnic, slur
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: Boche, Fritz, Kraut
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 8
A chamber pot.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Ireland, UK, slang
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 9
Alternative letter-case form of Jerry (“a German”).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: alt-of, ethnic, slur
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 10
A watch (timepiece).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: UK, obsolete
Qualifier: thieves' cant
Examples
- R. Austin Freeman, A Savant's Vendetta 'Do you know a jerry when you sees one — a red 'un, mind you?' [...] The fellow looked furtively at the door and then, diving into an inner pocket, pulled out a handsome gold watch with a massive chain attached, exhibited it for a moment and then dropped it back.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 11
Synonym of jerrybuild.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: dated
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: jerrybuild
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 12
offensive term for a person of German descent
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: Kraut, Krauthead, Boche, Hun
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: German
History
Etymology
Short for jerrybuild or jerry-built.
Clipping + -y.
Clipping of German + -y. Popularized during World War I.
Probably an abbreviation of jeroboam.
Alternative forms.
Real reading context