Charlie

[ chahr-lee ]

noun

1. a word used in communications to represent the letter C.
2. Also Char·ley. Military Slang. Victor Charlie.
3. a male given name, form of Charles.
4. a female given name.

Charlie

¹

/ ˈtʃɑːlɪ /

noun

1. slang.
   military a member of the Vietcong or the Vietcong collectively

   Charlie hit us with rockets

Charlie

²

/ ˈtʃɑːlɪ /

noun

1. communications a code word for the letter c

Charlie

³

/ ˈtʃɑːlɪ /

noun

1. slang.
   cocaine

charlie

⁴

/ ˈtʃɑːlɪ /

noun

1. informal.
   a silly person; fool
2. old-fashioned.
   a girl or woman

Word History and Origins

Origin of Charlie¹

shortened from Victor Charlie, communications code for VC, abbreviation of Vietcong

Origin of Charlie²

C20: for sense 1: shortened from Charlie Hunt, rhyming slang for cunt ; sense 2 is shortened from Charlie Wheeler, rhyming slang for sheila

Example Sentences

Influential right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, whose nonprofit Turning Point Action largely ran Trump’s ground game in swing states such as Arizona and Wisconsin, had been rallying his millions of social media followers to support Gaetz’s nomination.

From Los Angeles Times

Paley’s survivors include his wife, Heather Crist Paley; their sons, Jackson and Charlie; his sisters Sarah, Brewster and Debby; and his brother.

From Los Angeles Times

Haas driver Kevin Magnussen echoed Russell’s comments, saying that the drivers felt ignored compared with the days of the former FIA F1 director Charlie Whiting, who died on the eve of the 2019 season.

From BBC

"I compare with the Charlie Whiting days," Magnussen said.

From BBC

Charlie Savage reports on national security and legal policy.

From New York Times