# sonny

/ˈsəni/ (US) · /sˈʌni/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sonny
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. addressing a boy

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a friendly or old-fashioned way to call a young boy.

For teachers: a familiar form of address for a male child, typically used by an older person.

- Now listen here, sonny, you need to be careful on that bike.
- The old shopkeeper leaned over the counter and asked, 'What can I do for you today, sonny?'

### 2. condescending address

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Humorous

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

For teachers: 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.'

### 3. a nickname

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- He smiled and said hello to the sonny.
- The shopkeeper gave the sonny a discount for helping carry the heavy boxes.
- Though the old man called him sonny with a warm smile, the young executive felt the term diminished his professional authority.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.