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attagirl
[ at-uh-gurl ]
interjection
- (used as an enthusiastic expression of encouragement or approval to a girl, woman, or female animal.)
Example Sentences
“Attagirl!” said Macon, hugging her.
Stepping to the podium dressed in a tuxedo, Trump remarked on the number of people in attendance, gave an attagirl to Kari Lake, who lost her Arizona gubernatorial race, and then went on to express his views that elections are "rigged, tainted and bad" until C-SPAN made the decision to cut away to other programming.
Later, the midwife tells her “Just rest, honey,” and while she’s pushing repeatedly encourages her by saying “Attagirl!”
One day, she turned to one of the film’s producers and said: “You need to tell me that I’m OK, and give me a daily ‘Attagirl!’”
Better yet, these personal-best and attagirl bromides offer the advantage of being apolitical, and Trump is nothing if not practiced in the art of generic, apolitical speech — a fact that John Oliver has shrewdly observed.
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More About Attagirl
What does attagirl mean?
Attagirl is an informal expression of enthusiastic praise or encouragement addressed to girls, women, and female animals (such as one’s dog).
Attagirl is an interjection, meaning it’s a term used to express emotion, often outside of a sentence.
The term attaboy can be used in the same way to address boys, men, and male animals.
Such terms are generally used as a way to cheer someone on, similar to saying “Great job!” or “Way to go!” For example, coaches or parents might say it to a child playing a sport after they’ve done something particularly good.
Attagirl is sometimes used as a noun referring to a statement of praise, as in The boss doesn’t usually give out attagirls like that, so she must be pretty impressed.
Example: Attagirl, Sarah! Great catch!
Where does attagirl come from?
The first records of attagirl come from the early 1900s, around the same time as attaboy. Both terms were first and are primarily used in the U.S. The first part of the word is thought to be a shortened form of that’s a or that’s the, but it’s origin isn’t certain.
A similar phrase is That’s my girl! Obviously, this is said by parents, typically as a form of expressing pride in their daughter and something she has accomplished. Attagirl can imply this pride, but it’s primarily a way of cheering someone on, and that person doesn’t have to be the speaker’s daughter. Although the word girl appears inside the word, it can also refer to women—or even animals, especially dogs, as in Sit, Lassie. Attagirl!
Did you know ... ?
What are some other forms related to attagirl?
- attagirls (plural noun)
What are some synonyms for attagirl?
- great job
- good job
- way to go
- well done
What are some words that share a root or word element with attagirl?
What are some words that often get used in discussing attagirl?
How is attagirl used in real life?
Attagirl is always used informally. It’s perhaps most commonly used by parents to cheer on their daughters during sports.
My girl @emilyybitter barreled this one up! #attagirl
Video cred: @marlobitter pic.twitter.com/JpJMx4KnAV
— Jarrod Bitter (@JarrodBitter48) August 30, 2020
Attagirl Ellie!! 🙌🏻🙌🏻 @tribefutbol @2xjn https://t.co/TlW42rqqR7
— Leadership Kingsport (@KptLeadership) August 28, 2020
Oh they don't slobber all over you with grand praise, but they don't lie just to boost your feelings either. The only time you get an attaboy/attagirl is if you've genuinely done well. And that matters. A lot.
— 🏴☠️Liam Bean #VetsRESIST #BidenHarris2020🏴☠️ (@LiamMcBaen) August 29, 2020
Try using attagirl!
Is attagirl used correctly in the following sentence?
Attagirl, Tina—now you’re getting the hang of it!
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