Standard Lemma guide

ninnyhammer

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

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

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A foolish person; a simpleton.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • 1608, A Yorkshire Tragedy, dubiously claimed to be by William Shakespeare Why, the more fool she; aye, the more ninny hammer she.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Apparently from ninny (although attested slightly later) + -hammer, of unknown origin; perhaps compare earlier hammer-headed.