Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *(s)ker-der.?
Proto-Germanic *skertaną
Proto-Germanic *skurtaz
Proto-West Germanic *skurt
Old English sċort
Middle English schort
English short
Proto-Germanic *-j-, *-ij-
Proto-West Germanic *-i, *-ī
Old English -iġ
Middle English -y
English -y
English shorty
From short + -y.
Meanings
(informal, not-comparable) Shorter than normal, especially of clothing.
Reviewers often mention that Hunters, specifically the tall boots, don’t fit their calves—and that’s why we’d choose the shorty version, which is short enough that this problem doesn’t crop up. 2019 October 10, Eve O'Neill, “The Best Rain Boots for Men and Women”, in Wirecutter, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 01 Aug 2020:
“It’s a shorty wrap— 2.6, which means it’s 2.6 meters,” she [Lesley Doyle] said. “We kind of geek out over this stuff.” 2010 March 20, Deborah Netburn, “Baby carriers: One size does not fit all”, in Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, Calif.: Los Angeles Times Communications, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 09 Mar 2021:
Last seasons long, droopy skirt is being seen to by the scissors turning it into this season's shorty version, still handily teamed with last season/this season/next seasons comfy sloppy Joe. The effect won't just be felt by the very young. While we started off the winter craving a slightly dour and earnest uniform of dark colours, sensible fabrics and long skirts, the shorty skirt signals a renewed lightness and chirpiness. 1993 December 30, Kate Constable, “Fashion: Relax] It's all up to you ..”, in The Independent, London: Independent News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 06 Jul 2022:
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *(s)ker-der.?
Proto-Germanic *skertaną
Proto-Germanic *skurtaz
Proto-West Germanic *skurt
Old English sċort
Middle English schort
English short
Proto-Germanic *-j-, *-ij-
Proto-West Germanic *-i, *-ī
Old English -iġ
Middle English -y
English -y
English shorty
From short + -y.
Meanings
(derogatory, informal, sometimes) Something or someone that is shorter than normal.
A rock fishing expedition doesn't involve a lot of paraphernalia. Mick had brought his short rod with the overhead style, egg-beater reel they use off boats. 'The shorty's good for the fight.' 2001 December 2, Rhidian Brook, “On the rocks”, in The Observer, London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 06 Dec 2025:
(informal) A term of endearment for a child, younger sibling, shorter person, etc.
(qualifier:chiefly African-American Vernacular, slang) A child.
“Girl when I was just a shorty, some cats from New York came through putting down there work and muscling anybody too weak for the streets, but anyway they shot my oldest brother, who was alright with Ju and them. 2012, Julius B. Black, Married To The Game, AuthorHouse, →ISBN, page 13:
"I think we loved 'The Bridge Is Over' more than anybody else," says Nas, who was just a shorty when he first heard the opening shot. 1995, Vibe, page 102:
Like one day when I was just a shorty my mother was drinking a beer and a policeman told her to pour it out. He was way too little to be saying that to my mother. No way I was going to let him put handcuffs on her. 1997, William Ayers, A kind and just parent: the children of juvenile court, Beacon Pr:
Ever since they introduced the world to Patrick Ewing and Michael Graham, Georgetown has been the Black school of choice for every shorty … 1997, Robert Jackson, The Darkside: Chronicling the Young Black Experience, Noble Press Incorporated
(qualifier:chiefly African-American Vernacular, slang) An attractive young female, especially one who is sexually available.
Shawty I can see that you got so much energy, / The way you twirling up them hips round and round 2008, “Just Dance”, in The Fame, performed by Lady Gaga ft. Colby O'Donis:
I guarantee, shorty, it's real, baby, stick it out / [...] / You talk a good one, shorty, now you're makin' me sweat 1996, “Doin' It”, in Mr. Smith, performed by LL Cool J:
But seeing my boy on the cover of your magazine with three fine shorties made me think twice about the assumptions I've made. 1999, Vibe:
“Yo, man,” Vincent looked up at Sharif. “How is it that you always have the fine shorties hanging out at your crib?” 2006, Karen E. Quinones Miller, Uptown Dreams, Simon and Schuster, →ISBN, page 38:
"It wasn't that fine ass shorty I saw in the car earlier?" Travis inquired. 2015, Ashon Thadon, Unpunished: some deeds go that way, BookRix, →ISBN:
(qualifier:chiefly African-American Vernacular, slang) A girlfriend.
My shorty called my baby moms, I'm in some shit, and all my real gear at shorty crib. 2012, Edd Mcnair, Turning Point, Urban Books, →ISBN, page 42:
It was my birthday weekend, and one of my shorties decided she wanted to take a playa to Amsterdam to celebrate, we took a sightseeing tour bus and we saw everything there was to see. 2013, Jah King Entertainment, Time 2 Set It Off!: downloadable copy, Jah King Inc., →ISBN, page 90:
Demarco said pulling down his cap “Yeah, that's what I be hearing, my shorty told me how Shelly be bragging about the time ya'll had.” 2011, A.D. King, "Nola's Island": Vacation From Degradation, Trafford Publishing, →ISBN, page 47:
These are the things that separate a date from a fiancee, a shorty from a wife, a one-night stand from a lifetime commitment. 2003, Ebony, page 34:
I don't give a fuck, what he wants from me, I'll give him anything to get my shorty back, I swear, he better not have hurt or touched my shorty, or I'm a kill 'em when I see'em. 2014, Antonio Harriston, Lust, Money, Envy, iUniverse, →ISBN, page 169:
I should be playin' in the winter snow, but I'ma be under the mistletoe / With you, shawty with you 2011, “Mistletoe”, in Under the Mistletoe, performed by Justin Bieber:
A short-legged and sleeveless or short-sleeved wetsuit.
Our instructors, Ryan and Shannon, offered us hot coffee to warm up, and a variety of wetsuit options to settle the attire issue. Carlos chose his own full suit. I grabbed my spring shorty with long sleeves. 2010 May 21, Catharine Cooper, “Chasing Down The Muse: The art of the paddle”, in Daily Pilot, Los Angeles, Calif.: Los Angeles Times Communications, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 06 Dec 2025:
Now that it’s below 9C I’m layering a shorty wetsuit over a long-sleeve swimsuit, with neoprene socks and gloves. 2022 November 29, Kate Bussmann, “Forget the Dryrobe – there’s a new versatile outfit for the nation’s wild swimmers”, in Chris Evans, editor, The Daily Telegraph, London: Telegraph Media Group, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 29 Nov 2022:
However, many buy a wetsuit, because it can be pretty unpleasant to put on a musty hire suit. There are various thickness options, but a good compromise is a 5mm one-piece wetsuit and a 5mm 'shorty' worn over the top. (In warmer climes, use either suit on its own). 2006 December 8, “All you need to know about: Scuba diving”, in Alan Rusbridger, editor, The Guardian, London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 28 Sep 2014:
(informal) A shorthanded goal.
Forms
Spelling
Features
Labels
Source
shawtie
alternative
lexicographic
shortie
alternative
lexicographic
shorties
Number=Plur
lexicographic
shawty
alternative
lexicographic
Translations (17)
pt caga-tacos (a short person) · pt meia-leca (a short person) · pt baixote (a short person) · ru маломе́рок (a short person) · it cartuccia (a short person) · bg дребосък (a short person) · pl kurdupel (a short person) · ru короты́шка (a short person) · pt baixinho (a short person) · uk короту́н (a short person) · pl knypek (a short person) · ru недоме́рок (a short person) · ru короты́ш (a short person) · pt minorca (a short person) · es pichurro (a short person) · ru недоро́сток (a short person) · it mezza cartuccia (a short person)
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *(s)ker-der.?
Proto-Germanic *skertaną
Proto-Germanic *skurtaz
Proto-West Germanic *skurt
Old English sċort
Middle English schort
English short
Proto-Germanic *-j-, *-ij-
Proto-West Germanic *-i, *-ī
Old English -iġ
Middle English -y
English -y
English shorty
From short + -y.
Meanings
(feminine, nominative, objective, qualifier:African-American Vernacular, singular, slang, third-person) Synonym of she or her, especially of a younger woman.
I asked shorty for her name and she said “earn it” 2023 February 1, Hoodville (@Hoodville_), Twitter:
Bell: Savino didn't tip you off to that bitch?
Wee-Bey: Pshh, wasn't no time for that. He get up out the car, we see him go up the block like we said, right? Pshh, after that, he outa sight, we bring it home like we planned, baby.
Bell: Well, shorty was a cop. 2002 August 18, David Simon, Ed Burns, “The Hunt” (15:40 from the start), in The Wire, season 1, episode 11, spoken by Stringer Bell (Idris Elba), spoken by Wee-Bey Brice (Hassan Johnson):
Shorty said 2023 February 5, The Sound Hashira (@chillixci), Twitter:
Shorty really killed this 😭 2023 February 5, Za Morant (@APotOfGold_), Twitter:
shorty concussed and she said not my problem 😭 2023 February 1, Chronic E (@therealchronice), Twitter:
Me tryna show shorty I’m just as useful as that toy 2023 January 29, @Squid_wurdz on IG (@squid_wurdz), Twitter: