sonny

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Informal · Humorous

n. a way of talking to a younger man to show you think he is less important or experienced than you.

n. a derogatory or patronising form of address used to express contempt or to assert authority over a younger male.

“Don't try to tell me how to do my job, sonny.”

“The veteran detective dismissed the rookie's suggestion with a sharp 'Listen, sonny, I was solving cases before you could walk.'”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal

n. a common nickname for a boy, often used within a family.

n. a common hypocoristic nickname for a male child, often used as a proper noun.

“Everyone in the neighborhood called the little boy Sonny.”

“Although his legal name was Edward, he had been known exclusively as Sonny since he was a toddler.”