What does widdie mean?
Widdie is a chiefly Scots and northern English dialect noun denoting a small drinking cup and, by extension, a small measure of drink. It belongs to the informal vocabulary of traditional regional speech rather than standard modern English, and to many contemporary readers it may sound quaint, affectionate, or deliberately folksy. The word is more specific than simply “cup”: it evokes a modest vessel or serving rather than a large or formal drinking receptacle. Its spelling is associated with a related dialect form, widdle, although the precise historical development of the word is not as firmly established as that of most familiar English nouns. Widdie is valuable to readers interested in regional language because it combines scale and purpose in one compact noun, identifying both a small cup and the small amount it contains. In modern prose, it would generally be glossed on first use; outside Scottish and northern English contexts, “small cup” is likely to be understood more immediately.
nounA small drinking cup, especially in Scots and northern English dialect; also used by extension for a small measure of drink.
- A small drinking cup or, by extension, a small measure of drink.
"The innkeeper poured each traveller a widdie of whisky."
"The landlord poured each guest a widdie of whisky."
"A miniature widdie stood beside the larger goblets."
The regular plural is formed by adding -s.
"The china widdies were arranged along the shelf."
Widdie is a tiny Scots word for a tiny cup—and sometimes for the modest measure of drink it holds.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of widdie
Widdie is recorded chiefly in Scots and northern English dialect speech as a term for a small cup or drinking measure. It is generally treated as a diminutive or variant of the older dialect form widdle, but the ultimate origin of that base is not securely established. No broader cognate family can be stated with confidence.
How widdie is actually used
Chiefly dialectal and uncommon in modern standard English. It may sound quaint, traditional, or folksy, especially when used in writing for effect.
Easily confused with widdie
Widdle is a closely related variant spelling of the dialect noun; unlike widdie, it may also be recorded as a verb meaning to wriggle or wiggle.