verb

Jimmy

JIH-mee

verb

To force open, especially a lock or window, using a crowbar or similar tool.

"The burglar jimmied the back door open with a screwdriver."

"Police found marks where someone had jimmied the window frame."

noun

A short crowbar used by burglars to pry open doors or windows.

"He carried a small jimmy in his tool bag for emergencies."

Small rod-shaped sprinkles used to decorate ice cream or baked goods (mainly US regional usage).

"She topped the sundae with a generous scoop of chocolate jimmies."

How to Use Jimmy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishUsually means to pry something open by force, or the crowbar-like tool used to do it; in some US regions it also means sprinkles.

UK vs US

British English typically spells the crowbar sense "jemmy"; American English uses "jimmy."

Common pairings

jimmy the lock jimmy a window chocolate jimmies

jimmied past tense, Jimmys plural, Jimmies plural, Jimmys plural, Jimmies plural, jimmies plural, jimmies singular

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Test yourself on “Jimmy” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Can you complete this real example?

He carried a small _____ in his tool bag for emergencies.

A variant of "jemmy," a British word for a small crowbar.

Timmy Kimmy shimmy