sonny
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
a friendly or old-fashioned way to call a young boy.
a familiar form of address for a male child, typically used by an older person.
Simple“Now listen here, sonny, you need to be careful on that bike.”
In context“The old shopkeeper leaned over the counter and asked, 'What can I do for you today, sonny?'”
- 02 C1 Advanced
a way of talking to a younger man to show you think he is less important or experienced than you.
a derogatory or patronising form of address used to express contempt or to assert authority over a younger male.
Simple“Don't try to tell me how to do my job, sonny.”
In context“The veteran detective dismissed the rookie's suggestion with a sharp 'Listen, sonny, I was solving cases before you could walk.'”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
a common nickname for a boy, often used within a family.
a common hypocoristic nickname for a male child, often used as a proper noun.
Simple“Everyone in the neighborhood called the little boy Sonny.”
In context“Although his legal name was Edward, he had been known exclusively as Sonny since he was a toddler.”
Synonyms