potty

¹

[ pot-ee ]

adjective

, pot·ti·er, pot·ti·est.

1. Chiefly British Informal. slightly insane; eccentric.
2. British. paltry; trifling; petty.

potty

²

[ pot-ee ]

noun

, plural pot·ties.

1. a seat of reduced size fitting over a toilet seat, for use by a small child.
2. a small metal pot fitting under a potty-chair.
3. Baby Talk. a toilet.

potty

¹

/ ˈpɒtɪ /

noun

1. See chamber pot
   a child's word for chamber pot

potty

²

/ ˈpɒtɪ /

adjective

1. foolish or slightly crazy
2. trivial or insignificant
3. foll byabout or on very keen (about)

Derived Forms

• ˈpottiness, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of potty¹

First recorded in 1855–60; pot ¹ + -y ¹

Origin of potty²

First recorded in 1840–50; pot ¹ + -y ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of potty¹

C19: perhaps from pot ¹

Example Sentences

There is no time to worry about trivial matters like going on potty walks when I can hunt cicadas instead.

From Washington Post

An open letter to the emerging cicadas in my backyardIn my younger days, back in March, I was fully potty-trained.

From Washington Post

Though it’s not a forested or highly private space, the Diamond P can’t be beat for its ultra-clean porta potties and superior access to the park.

From Outside Online

Utilities have urged customers for years to ignore “flushable” labels on increasingly popular, premoistened wipes used by nursing home staffs, potty-training toddlers and people who shun toilet paper.

From Washington Post

The graffiti on a port-a-potty in a gravel pit was, in the opinion of one Washington state resident, a sign that anti-fascists might blow up a nearby dam.

From The Daily Beast

Following the Apatow references, Marge informs Homer that she needs to use the “Porta Potty.”

From The Daily Beast

However, these “potty-mouthed princesses” curse like proverbial sailors to prove a point.

From The Daily Beast

Unless some kind of sky-high musical chairs ensues, anything more than a cursory pre-potty hello could become a little tricky.

From The Daily Beast

Proves that political potty-mouthing is practically our birthright.

From The Daily Beast

I mean, just the potty training of octuplets is enough to cause a mind to snap.

From The Daily Beast

Two thousand six hundred men are hors de combat; and the chivalrous Potty is himself seriously hurt.

From Project Gutenberg

Potty, Pipes, and Piffle were very real to me, and lived like actual people in that dim garret.

From Project Gutenberg

General Potty, we are glad to assure our readers, will be once more in the saddle before many days.

From Project Gutenberg

If Athene hadn't had that potty little legacy left her, she couldn't have done this.

From Project Gutenberg

But I on'y git to be 'nouncer one time, 'cause Fanny tellin' me nex' fam'ly have dinnuh-potty make heap o' fun.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• latrine
• lavatory
• outhouse
• restroom