Standard Lemma guide

shorty

adj · name · noun · pron · 10 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

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.

  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˈʃɔː.ti/
  • Canada, General-American: /ˈʃoɹ.ti/
  • Australian: /ˈʃoː.ti/
  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ɔː(ɹ)ti
  • CMU ARPABET: SH AO1 R T IY0 Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Shorter than normal, especially of clothing.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal, not-comparable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

name

Meaning 2

A nickname for a short person or (ironic, humorous) a tall person.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

Something or someone that is shorter than normal.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: derogatory, informal, sometimes

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

A term of endearment for a child, younger sibling, shorter person, etc.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

A child.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: slang

Qualifier: chiefly African-American Vernacular

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

noun

Meaning 6

An attractive young female, especially one who is sexually available.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: slang

Qualifier: chiefly African-American Vernacular

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

7

noun

Meaning 7

A girlfriend.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: slang

Qualifier: chiefly African-American Vernacular

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

8

noun

Meaning 8

A short-legged and sleeveless or short-sleeved wetsuit.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

9

noun

Meaning 9

A shorthanded goal.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal

Topics: hobbies, ice-hockey, lifestyle, skating, sports

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

10

pron

Meaning 10

Synonym of she or her, especially of a younger woman.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: feminine, nominative, objective, singular, slang, third-person

Qualifier: African-American Vernacular

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: she or her

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *(s)ker-der.? Proto-Germanic *skertaną Proto-Germanic *skurtaz Proto-West Germanic *skurt Old English sċort Middle English schort English short Proto-Germanic *-j-, *-ij- Proto-West Germanic *-i, *-ī Old English -iġ Middle English -y English -y English shorty From short + -y.

Proprialisation of shorty.

Across languages

Translations

17 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: дребосък (drebosǎk) — a short person
  • Italian: cartuccia — a short person
  • Italian: mezza cartuccia — a short person
  • Polish: kurdupel — a short person
  • Polish: knypek — a short person
  • Portuguese: baixinho — a short person
  • Portuguese: meia-leca — a short person
  • Portuguese: baixote — a short person
  • Portuguese: minorca — a short person
  • Portuguese: caga-tacos — a short person
  • Russian: короты́ш (korotýš) — a short person
  • Russian: короты́шка (korotýška) — a short person
  • Russian: недоро́сток (nedoróstok) — a short person
  • Russian: маломе́рок (malomérok) — a short person
  • Russian: недоме́рок (nedomérok) — a short person
  • Spanish: pichurro — a short person
  • Ukrainian: короту́н (korotún) — a short person
Real reading context

shorty in complete knowledge articles