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# missy

noun (missy — informal, usually as a form of address)

«missy» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (informal) A way of speaking to a young girl, often in a playful, teasing or slightly cross way: «Listen, missy!» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/missy/#m1)
2. (old use) A young lady; a miss. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/missy/#m2)

### In the lessons

In stories and everyday life, a parent, grandparent or teacher might say «Now then, missy» when a girl is being cheeky. It can sound bossy or old-fashioned. Phrases: young missy, little missy.

### Examples

- «Don't you talk back to me, missy!» said Grandma. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/missy/#x1)
- «Come along, little missy, time for bed.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/missy/#x2)
- The shopkeeper winked: «What can I get for you, missy?» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/missy/#x3)
- «Listen here, young missy, homework first.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/missy/#x4)
- Missy is also a nickname for girls named Melissa. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/missy/#x5)
- My uncle calls my sister «missy» when she bosses him around. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/missy/#x6)
- “There’s none can save you now, missy,” Mullins hissed jeeringly. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/missy/#x7)

### Note

Informal; usually used to talk TO a girl, not about her. It can sound cross or patronising, so it is not polite to use with grown women. «Missy» can also be a name (a nickname for Melissa).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «missy» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/missy/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«missy» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/missy.html) on Mova free.