Sonny Meaning
/ˈsʌni/Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA familiar form of address for a boy.
nounForm of address to a boy or man, to express contempt, warning etc.
Sentence Examples
"Please move aside." "Ya wanna make something of it, sonny?"
"Go home, sonny," Mary urged Tom, "and have a good sleep! You're whacked out!"
Come here, sonny. You'll be my eyes.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The old man called out to the little ____ to come help him in the garden.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The old man addressed the young boy as ____ while showing him how to bait a fishing hook.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *sew-? Proto-Indo-European *sewH- Proto-Indo-European *suHnús Proto-Germanic *sunuz Proto-West Germanic *sunu Old English sunu Middle English sone English son Old English -iġ Middle English -y English -y English sonny From son + -y.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"'I was christened "Sonny"', the boy said with a protective formality which was clearly of some years' growth. ' It seems to have been all right then. Fashionable, you know. Now, of course, it's ghastly. Everyone calls me Sinclair, even Mother.'"
— 1938, Margery Allingham, The Fashion in Shrouds, page 136:
"Sonny had had to change his mind about so many things, as his life changed, as the very meaning of his ridiculous name changed - first a hangover from sentimental parents, then a nickname to reassure the crowds at rallies that he was one of them, then an addendum to his full names in a prison dossier: 'also known as Sonny'. A common criminal with aliases."
— 1990, Nadine Gordimer, My Son's Story, page 55:
"Sonia was hired and quickly persuaded everyone to call her “Sonny.” Josie recalls, “For some reason, she did not care for her first name, but I thought it was beautiful. I was surprised that she spelled her nickname 'Sonny' rather than 'Sunny', but I suppose it was because of the letter 'o' in Sonia."
— 2009, Del Halterman, Walk-Don't Run - The Story of the Ventures, →ISBN, page 58:
"She couldn't believe Irina had said that so openly. Then Sonny gasped before she could stop herself. “What is it?” Irina looked down at herself. “What's the matter?” “Nothing.” Sonny shook her head and took up her notes as if to discuss them."
— 2009, Trish Perry, Sunset Beach, →ISBN, page 135:
""The guy who wrote Sonny her very first fan letter . . . Give it up for Eric!” [...] "Marshall, I have to say something." Marshall looked a little puzzled at Sonny's serious tone of voice, but he handed the microphone to her."
— 2011, N. B. Grace, Sonny With A Chance: Making the Cut, →ISBN, page 10:
Explore More A2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The old man called out to the little ____ to come help him in the garden.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The old man addressed the young boy as ____ while showing him how to bait a fishing hook.