piggy

piggy

English

Alternative forms

• piggie (noun only)

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

• piggy move up

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

• piggily
• pigginess