ditty

[ dit-ee ]

noun

, plural dit·ties.

1. a poem intended to be sung.
2. a short, simple song.

verb (used without object)

, dit·tied, dit·ty·ing.

1. Obsolete. to sing.

verb (used with object)

, dit·tied, dit·ty·ing.

1. Obsolete. to set to or celebrate in music.

ditty

/ ˈdɪtɪ /

noun

1. a short simple song or poem

Word History and Origins

Origin of ditty¹

1250–1300; Middle English dite < Anglo-French, Old French dit ( i ) e poem, noun use of past participle of ditier to compose < Latin dictāre; dictate

Word History and Origins

Origin of ditty¹

C13: from Old French ditie poem, from ditier to compose, from Latin dictāre dictate

Example Sentences

If you heard the song at a crowded bar, you might mistake it for an airy faux-feminist ditty.

From Time

Legendary composer Stephen Sondheim loosely nodded toward the idea with a singsongy little ditty about beans called “The Witch’s Rap” in 1986’s Into the Woods.

From Vox

He often composes ditties to play at the farewell parties of staff members.

From Time

The addicting ditty “One of These Things” was used to help children learn to compare and discern differences.

From The Daily Beast

If she ever knew that I would never be the man I promised I would be,” he sings on the 1990s pop ditty “Opposite of Me.

From The Daily Beast

The kids get a record deal, and the bosses receive some mistaken intel that the song is a folk ditty, up for grabs copyright-wise.

From The Daily Beast

A high school vibe overtook the hall: it was a pep rally, complete with its own music video—“Kahana was right,” laments the ditty.

From The Daily Beast

“Miss Atomic Bomb,” a five-minute ditty that swells into a soaring rock anthem, is an early standout.

From The Daily Beast

Mea, however, fought passionately for her friend and never gave way till Kurt had promised not to go on with his ditty.

From Project Gutenberg

The musicians played energetically, switching now from the hymn to their unofficial little ditty.

From Project Gutenberg

None other than that sweet sentimental ditty, "Be kind to the loved ones at home."

From Project Gutenberg

We almost felt like having that bright little ditty 'In Dixie's Land' served up to us, we all felt so jubilant.

From Project Gutenberg

The knife daily pierces the neck of the swine, and the kitchen wench wrings off the head of the fowl while she hums a ditty.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ballad
• jingle
• tune