hypocorism

noun

hy·​po·​co·​rism hī-ˈpä-kə-ˌri-zəm How to pronounce hypocorism (audio) ˌhī-pə-ˈkȯr-ˌi-zəm How to pronounce hypocorism (audio)
Synonyms of hypocorismnext
1
: a pet name
2
: the use of pet names
hypocoristic
ˌhī-pə-kə-ˈri-stik How to pronounce hypocorism (audio)
adjective
or hypocoristical
ˌhī-pə-kə-ˈri-sti-kəl How to pronounce hypocorism (audio)
hypocoristically
ˌhī-pə-kə-ˈri-sti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce hypocorism (audio)
adverb

Examples of hypocorism 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.
Someone named the fog Karl, but none of our other weather gets a hypocorism. —Kevin Fisher-Paulson, SFChronicle.com, 29 Sep. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin hypocorisma, from Greek hypokorisma, from hypokorizesthai to call by pet names, from hypo- + korizesthai to caress, from koros boy, korē girl

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hypocorism was in 1850

Rhymes for hypocorism

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Browse Nearby Words

hypocoracoid
hypocorism
hypocoristic
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Cite this Entry

“Hypocorism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypocorism. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.

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