divvy

American  

[div-ee] / ˈdɪv i /

verb (used with or without object)

divvied, divvying

1. to divide; distribute (often followed byup ).

   The thieves divvied up the loot.

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noun

plural

divvies

1. a distribution or sharing.

divvy ¹ British  

/ ˈdɪvɪ /

noun

1. short for dividend, esp (formerly) one paid by a cooperative society

2. a share; portion

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verb

1. to divide and share

divvy ² British  

/ ˈdɪvɪ /

noun

1. dialect a stupid or foolish person

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Etymology

Origin of divvy

1870–75; div(ide) or div(idend) + -y ²

Explanation

To divvy something is to split it up between two or more people. You might divvy up a pizza among four friends, giving everyone two slices. If you and a friend have a lemonade stand, you'll divvy up the proceeds at the end of the day, sharing the money. You can also divvy other things: "Let's divvy this painting job — you do the trim, and I'll paint the walls." As a noun, a divvy is a share or a part of something — the word, from American English, is a shortened version of dividend, a divided payment, from the Latin dividendum, "thing to be divided."

Example Sentences

They stuck by each other to chase the one thing they couldn’t divvy up: their dream of skating at the Olympics.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 16, 2026

But it isn’t clear how he wants to divvy up the funds from a joint television contract.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 15, 2025

Developers rejoice: L.A. is about to divvy up $387 million for affordable housing projects.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 5, 2025

Whatever money is left over after the blazes Lewis plans to put toward scholarships for formerly incarcerated firefighters or divvy up and donate to individual prisoners’ commissary accounts.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 11, 2025

“Call me tomorrow and we’ll divvy up assignments,” she said.

From "Burning Blue" by Paul Griffin