Preggies
Part of speech: noun
Definitions
- A colloquial term for expectant mothers, often used affectionately to describe women who are pregnant
- It can refer to a group of women who are anticipating childbirth, highlighting their shared experience
- This informal expression often conveys a sense of camaraderie and support among those undergoing pregnancy
Etymology: "Preggies" is the plural of "preggie," a clipped informal noun built by adding the diminutive suffix "-ie" to "pregnant." The same playful pattern produces many English pet forms, such as "movie" from "moving pictures" or "hankie" from "handkerchief," where a shortened stem is given a cheerful ending. The plural form matters here. Speakers use "preggies" for a group of women who are pregnant at the same time, so the word carries the sense of shared experience that the meaning describes. The formation itself is simple: a common adjective, shortened and softened into an affectionate noun.
Synonyms: pregnant women, expectant mothers, moms-to-be
Antonyms: nonpregnant women