bobby

¹ American  

[bob-ee] / ˈbɒb i /

noun

British Informal.

plural

bobbies

1. a policeman.

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Bobby ² American  

[bob-ee] / ˈbɒb i /

Or Bobbie

noun

1. a first name, often a form of Robert or Roberta.

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bobby British  

/ ˈbɒbɪ /

noun

1. informal a British policeman

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Etymology

Origin of bobby

1835–45; special use of Bobby, for Sir Robert Peel, who set up the Metropolitan Police system of London in 1828

Example Sentences

“It’s a visual of innocence for this girl to wear these grown-up shoes with a heel, and then pair them with these youthful bobby socks,” he explained of Dorothy.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 24, 2025

Scrappy Marie from Glasgow was edged out by Lulu, with her chipmunk smile, sculpted hair and bobby socks.

From BBC • Sep. 23, 2025

But Schwartz told me that he sees even this kind of damage most often when people use bobby pins or small spatulas to clean their ears.

From Slate • Oct. 15, 2023

The bathroom is stocked with Listerine, Lubriderm lotion and bobby pins; the fridges teem with Red Bull, baby carrots and a wide selection of juices.

From New York Times • Mar. 1, 2023

Fishing in her apron pocket, she pulls out bobby pins and a hair clip.

From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline