sonny

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   an informal, often affectionate form of address to a boy or younger man

   Come along, sonny, and I'll show you where the tools are kept.

2. 2
   noun

   a patronizing or warning form of address to a male regarded as younger or less experienced

   Listen here, sonny, you cannot speak to the staff that way.

Appears in

An affectionate or familiar formation from son with the diminutive suffix -y. Depending on tone and context, the same form of address can sound warm, patronizing, or threatening.

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary