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

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

Charlie Savage writes about national security and legal policy.

From New York Times

Rob McCoy thanked God — and Charlie Kirk, one of the Republican Party’s most influential power brokers.

From Los Angeles Times