paddy

[ pad-ee ]

noun,plural pad·dies.
  1. a rice field.

  2. rice, especially in the husk, either uncut or gathered.

Origin of paddy

1
First recorded in 1590–1600; from Malay padi “unhusked rice”; currency of this word in the English of India perhaps due to early association with Kannada batta, bhatta “unhusked rice” (from Indo-Aryan; compare Hindi, Marathi bhāt “cooked rice,” Sanskrit bhakhta “food, meal”)

Words that may be confused with paddy

Words Nearby paddy

Other definitions for Paddy (2 of 2)

Paddy
[ pad-ee ]

noun,plural Pad·dies.
  1. Slang: Often Offensive. an Irishman or a person of Irish descent.

  2. a male given name.

Origin of Paddy

2
Familiar variant of Irish Padraig Patrick; see -y2

usage note For Paddy

This term is used as a neutral nickname or term of address for an Irishman, though it may be perceived as insulting.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use paddy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for paddy (1 of 3)

paddy1

/ (ˈpædɪ) /


nounplural -dies
  1. Also called: paddy field a field planted with rice

  2. rice as a growing crop or when harvested but not yet milled

Origin of paddy

1
from Malay pādī

British Dictionary definitions for paddy (2 of 3)

paddy2

/ (ˈpædɪ) /


nounplural -dies
  1. British informal a fit of temper

Origin of paddy

2
C19: from Paddy

British Dictionary definitions for Paddy (3 of 3)

Paddy

/ (ˈpædɪ) /


nounplural -dies
  1. (sometimes not capital) an informal, often derogatory, name for an Irishman

Origin of Paddy

3
from Patrick

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012