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Definition of noddy

noddy

/ˈnɑːdi/
nod · dy
Plural:noddies
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noddy Lexical Profile

noddy Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

British A stupid or silly person; a fool.

Example

"He felt like a complete noddy after locking his keys inside the car for the third time this week."

2

A dark-plumaged tropical seabird of the tern family, noted for its trusting nature toward humans and its elaborate nodding courtship displays.

Example

"During our expedition to the Galápagos, we observed a brown noddy nesting precariously on the coastal cliffs."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for noddy

• Nearby Words

nod
nodder
nodding onion
noddy
node
nodule
noel

Word Origin & Etymology

Early 16th century: likely from the verb 'nod' + '-y', originally denoting a sleepy or nodding person, and later applied to a foolish person. The seabird was named by sailors in the 17th century because it appeared foolishly tame and unafraid of humans.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Noddy. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/noddy
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