paddy

1 of 2

noun (1)

pad·​dy ˈpa-dē How to pronounce paddy (audio)
variants or less commonly padi
plural paddies also padis
1
: rice
especially : threshed unmilled rice
2
: wet land in which rice is grown

Paddy

2 of 2

noun (2)

Pad·​dy ˈpa-dē How to pronounce Paddy (audio)
plural Paddies
slang, often disparaging + offensive

Examples of paddy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The chemicals fell on forests, and also on rivers, rice paddies and villages, exposing civilians and troops. Pamela McElwee, The Conversation, 28 Apr. 2025 After the rice harvest, the river water filled the paddy fields and at some point fish found their way there. Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025 Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai Rice paddies and lush jungle surround the Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai. Jim Dobson, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024 The home is situated on the site of an old farmer's barn and is surrounded rice paddies and asparagus fields, so draws inspiration from this setting. Adam Williams march 01, New Atlas, 1 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for paddy

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Malay padi

Noun (2)

from Paddy, Hiberno-English nickname for Patrick

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1623, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1714, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of paddy was in 1623

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Paddy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paddy. Accessed 8 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

paddy

noun
pad·​dy ˈpad-ē How to pronounce paddy (audio)
plural paddies
: wet land in which rice is grown

More from Merriam-Webster on paddy

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