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
: irishman

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
Late summer's lush green rice paddies, chirping tree frogs, and firecracker-like lilies were buried deep under a mass of white powder. — Adam H. Graham, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Aug. 2026 Vietnam Nestled in Vietnam’s northern mountains, Sapa dazzles with emerald rice paddies dotted across undulating green hills. — Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 21 Aug. 2026 An island that is often pigeonholed to infinity pools and rice-paddy views, the tropical destination is also home to working rice terraces still farmed by hand, daily temple offerings, and craft traditions passed down over generations. — Katharine Sohn, Architectural Digest, 19 Aug. 2026 See the quieter side of Indonesia with a trip to Lombok, an island dotted with rice paddies and volcanoes just east of crowded Bali. — Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 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

Rhymes for paddy

See All Rhymes for paddy

Browse Nearby Words

paddock-stool
paddy
Paddy
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Cite this Entry

“Paddy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paddy. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about paddy

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