noun

benny

BEH-nee

noun

Slang for a tablet of amphetamine, historically Benzedrine.

"The old novel describes truckers popping bennies to stay awake."

Informal British slang for a state benefit payment.

"He's been living off his benny since losing his job."

name

An informal short form of Benjamin, or of Bernice or Bernadette.

"Everyone in the office knows him simply as Benny."

How to Use Benny

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMostly used today as a nickname, though it also has older, more niche slang meanings around amphetamines and welfare payments.

When to use it

The drug and benefits senses are informal slang, not standard usage.

Word Forms

bennied past tense, bennies plural, bennies plural, bennies plural, bennies plural, Bennys plural, Bennies plural, Bennys plural, Bennies plural, Bennies plural, Bennies plural, Bennys plural, Bennies plural, Bennies plural, Bennys plural, bennies singular

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He's been living off his _____ since losing his job.

Etymology

From ben(zedrine) plus the suffix -y, originally coined as slang for the stimulant drug.

Rhymes for benny

penny jenny Kenny genny Denny Lenny Henny Renny Moneypenny

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