noddy

noun

nod·​dy ˈnä-dē How to pronounce noddy (audio)
plural noddies
1
: a stupid person
2
: any of several stout-bodied seabirds (especially genus Anous) of warm seas

Examples of noddy in a Sentence

which one of you noddies put an empty milk carton back in the fridge?
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The bird reserve is home to four species of pelagic seabirds—the greater crested tern, lesser crested tern, sooty tern, and the brown noddy. K A Shaji, Quartz India, 5 May 2020 During the summer months, see the migration of some 200,000 birds, such as egrets, white-bellied sea eagles, buff banded rails, and white capped noddy’s. Anne Farrar, National Geographic, 19 June 2019 The atoll is a nature sanctuary that lures bird watchers (for parrots and seabirds like the great frigate and noddy) as well as snorkelers and divers that come to see colorful parrotfish, blacktip sharks, bonefish, and nesting turtles. Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2017

Word History

Etymology

probably short for obsolete noddypoll, alteration of hoddypoll fumbling inept person

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of noddy was in 1534

Dictionary Entries Near noddy

Cite this Entry

“Noddy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/noddy. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

noddy

noun
nod·​dy ˈnäd-ē How to pronounce noddy (audio)
plural noddies
: any of several stout-bodied terns of warm seas

More from Merriam-Webster on noddy

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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