ninny

[ nin-ee ]

noun

, plural nin·nies.

1. a fool or simpleton.

ninny

/ ˈnɪnɪ /

noun

1. a dull-witted person

Derived Forms

• ˈninnyish, adjective

Other Words From

• ninny·ish adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ninny¹

1585–95; perhaps generic use of pet form of Innocent proper name; -y ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of ninny¹

C16: perhaps from an innocent simpleton

Example Sentences

Can we laugh at Baryshnikov’s infatuated ninny with her bottom row of rotting orange teeth?

From Los Angeles Times

Jane Austen wrote takedowns of this kind of ninny two centuries ago — how fun to see Pike update her twit to the post-Y2K era.

From Los Angeles Times

“No! Oh, you pack of ninnies! Great heroes! I knew I should have gone with you from the beginning.”

From Literature

But she flubbed the attempt, using a dated, offensive term: “Don’t mean to use an inappropriate word, but pica ninny came to mind,” Ms. Wintour wrote.

From New York Times

You know that feeling of dread you get during musicals, where the plot screeches to a halt so that some ninny can sing about their feelings?

From The Guardian