Standard Lemma guide

pawky

adj · 2 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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  • UK: /ˈpɔːki/
  • homophone: porky
  • homophone: porkie

1

adj

Meaning 1

Shrewd, sly; often also characterised by a sarcastic sense of humour.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Northern, Scotland, UK

Examples

  • 1836, Joanna Baillie, Witchcraft, Act 1, p.36-37. 'Awa', ye pawky thief! Dost tu think that I'll herrie the laird's cellar for thee or ony body?—But there's the whisky bottle in my ain cupboard, wi' some driblets in it yet, that ye may tak; and deil a drap mair shall ye get, an thy tongue were as guizened as a spelding. I wonder wha learnt sic a youngster as thee to be sae pawky.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adjective satellite

Meaning 2

cunning and sly- Punch

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the pawky rich old lady who incessantly scores off her parasitical descendants

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From pawk + -y.