meanie

The word "meanie" is an informal way to describe a person who is mean, unkind, or unpleasant to others. It is common in everyday speech, especially among children, and it often has a slightly childish or playful tone. Even so, it usually refers to behavior that is genuinely hurtful, such as teasing, mocking, excluding someone, or acting like a bully.

You might hear it in sentences like "Don't be a meanie!" or "He was being a real meanie today." While it is often used for children, it can also be used for teenagers or adults when their behavior seems petty, rude, or unfair. A person does not have to be evil or cruel all the time to be called this; sometimes the word is used for one moment of mean behavior, and sometimes for a longer pattern.

The term is less formal and less harsh than words like "cruel person" or "abuser," but it still clearly shows disapproval. In some situations, friends or family members may use it jokingly for small acts, like not sharing fries or refusing to reveal a surprise. In more serious cases, though, it can describe someone whose words or actions really hurt people's feelings.

Because it is simple and expressive, "meanie" is a word people use to label bad behavior in a direct, emotional way. It fits playground talk, casual conversation, and playful storytelling. Characters like Cinderella's stepfamily are easy examples: they are the sort of people many readers would call meanies because they treat others badly again and again.