noddy

[ nod-ee ]
/ ˈnɒd i /

noun, plural nod·dies.

any of several dark-bodied terns of the genera Anous and Micranous found about the coasts and islands in warm seas of both the New and Old Worlds, often so tame as to seem stupid.
a fool or simpleton; noodle.

Origin of noddy

1520–30; perhaps noun use of obsolete noddy (adj.) silly. See nod, -y1

Words nearby noddy

nodding lilac, nodding pogonia, nodding spasm, nodding trillium, noddle, noddy, node, node house, node of cloquet, node of ranvier, nodical

Example sentences from the Web for noddy

British Dictionary definitions for noddy (1 of 3)

noddy 1
/ (ˈnɒdɪ) /

noun plural -dies

any of several tropical terns of the genus Anous, esp A. stolidus (common noddy), typically having a dark plumage
a fool or dunce

Word Origin for noddy

C16: perhaps noun use of obsolete noddy foolish, drowsy, perhaps from nod (vb); the bird is so called because it allows itself to be caught by hand

British Dictionary definitions for noddy (2 of 3)

noddy 2
/ (ˈnɒdɪ) /

noun plural -dies

(usually plural) television film footage of an interviewer's reactions to comments made by an interviewee, used in editing the interview after it has been recorded

Word Origin for noddy

C20: from nod

British Dictionary definitions for noddy (3 of 3)

noddy 3
/ (ˈnɒdɪ) /

adjective

informal very easy to use or understand; simplistic

Word Origin for noddy

C20: origin unknown