piggy

American  

[pig-ee] / ˈpɪg i /

Or piggie

noun

plural

piggies

1. a small or young pig.

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adjective

piggier, piggiest

1. Informal. piggish.

2. (of a sow) in an advanced state of pregnancy.

piggy British  

/ ˈpɪɡɪ /

noun

1. a child's word for a pig, esp a piglet

2. 1. a children's game in which one player attempts to retrieve a ball thrown over him or her by at least two other players

   2. a situation in which a person or group is caught up in a disagreement between other people or groups

3. a child's word for toe or, sometimes, finger

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adjective

1. another word for piggish

Other Word Forms

• pigginess noun

Etymology

Origin of piggy

1790–1800; piggy ( def. 1 ) pig ¹ + -y ²; piggy ( defs. 2, 3 ) pig ¹ + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Well, in the 40 years of covering presidents, not one of them ever called a reporter “piggy” before.

From Salon

Lady Constance climbed on top of the end table and began squealing like a piggy; as you will recall, it was the second time that week.

From Literature

Higher prices for county-officiated civil wedding ceremonies and witness services may also force couples to break open their piggy banks.

From Los Angeles Times

That isn’t enough to sway the gladiatorial majority, which is mostly made up of men grinning at the fattening piggy bank suspended above them.

From Salon

"I am not and will never allow myself to be a piggy bank for anyone to shake," he told reporters.

From BBC

Related Words

• avid
• insatiable
• prodigious
• rapacious
• ravenous