# teddy

/ˈtɛdi/ (US) · /tˈɛdi/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. stuffed toy bear

noun · CEFR A1

a soft toy that looks like a bear, usually filled with soft material.

For teachers: a soft toy stuffed with cotton or similar material, designed to resemble a bear.

- The little boy wouldn't go to sleep without his favourite teddy.
- The child clutched his worn teddy by its one remaining ear, refusing to let the nurse take it during the examination.

### 2. women's undergarment

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

a piece of women's clothing that covers the body from the shoulders to the top of the legs.

For teachers: a one-piece undergarment for women that typically combines a camisole and knickers.

- She bought a silk teddy to wear under her evening dress.
- The boutique specialised in vintage-style lingerie, featuring lace-trimmed teddies and silk robes from the 1940s.

### 3. a person's name

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

a short name for a man called Edward or Theodore.

For teachers: a diminutive form of the masculine given names Edward or Theodore.

- Everyone in the office calls him Teddy, even though his real name is Edward.
- Although his birth certificate listed him as Theodore, he had been known exclusively as Teddy since his early childhood.

## Examples

- The child carries his favorite teddy everywhere.
- She found her old teddy in a box of childhood belongings while cleaning the attic.
- While the original teddy was named after a president, it has since become a universal symbol of childhood security and domestic comfort.

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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.