WordGarden.iolassie
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /lˈæsi/
US
- /ˈlæsi/
Meanings
Noun
a girl or young woman, especially in Scottish or affectionate use
Proper-noun
the fictional collie dog featured in the Lassie books, films, and television series
Beyond the definition
You probably know Lassie as the famous collie from books, movies, and television. But long before that, "lassie" was already a warm regional word for a girl or young woman, especially in Scotland and Northern England. It comes from "lass" and adds a more affectionate feeling. Outside those regions, many people first think of the well-known dog character, while in Scottish use it can still sound like a friendly, familiar way to speak about a young girl.
The word "lassie" is a good example of how a local word can carry both everyday warmth and strong cultural memories. In Scots and in some Northern English speech, it is an affectionate form of "lass," meaning a girl or young woman. For a long time, people have used it as a friendly, tender way to speak about a daughter, a child, or a young woman they know well.
The word became widely known around the world because of Eric Knight's 1940 novel Lassie Come-Home, followed by films and television series about the brave collie. Because of that character, many people now connect the word first with a loyal, clever dog rather than with its older regional meaning. In everyday use, though, the common meaning is still the human one: a girl or young woman, especially in Scottish or Northern English contexts.
Today, the word often carries a gentle, old-fashioned, or Scottish feeling. You might hear someone say "wee lassie" with affection, or hear the name used for a dog in a playful nod to the famous character. It is a small word with two strong stories behind it: one from regional speech, and one from popular culture.
Examples
- 1
Affectionate address
The old woman patted the child’s hand and said, “You’re a kind lassie.”
- 2
Childhood memory
When my grandmother was a wee lassie, she walked three miles to school.
- Usagewee lassie
little girl, especially in Scottish English
- 3
Dance invitation
The band welcomed all the laddies and lassies onto the dance floor.
- Usageladdies and lassies
boys and girls; often sounds Scottish or old-fashioned
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- lassienoun