ditty

noun

dit·​ty ˈdi-tē 

plural ditties

: an especially simple and unaffected song

Synonyms of ditty

• ballad
• song
• lyric
• jingle
• hymn
• anthem

Examples of ditty in a Sentence

Play us a little ditty.

sung a little ditty in a minor key

Recent Examples on the Web

All the more reason to keep this bouncy ditty on loop. — Adelle Platon, VIBE.com, 27 Apr. 2026

Sparkling water lightens it, but play around with the ratios—and write your own ditty to remember the recipe. — Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 12 Jan. 2026

The vocal tracks are broken up by instrumental ditties whose cutesiness is almost creepier. — Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 23 Apr. 2026

Later, orange lanterns carrying well-wishes floated toward the stars, mingling with the distant strains of Lao ditties from the karaoke machines of the ramshackle bars that lined the banks. — Chris Schalkx, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ditee, from Anglo-French dité story, song, from past participle of diter to compose, from Latin dictare to dictate, compose

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing ditty

• ditty bag
• ditty box

Rhymes for ditty

• bitty
• city
• gritty
• kitty
• nitty
• pity
• pretty
• smriti
• witty
• catholicity
• ellipticity
• historicity

Kids Definition

ditty

noun

dit·​ty ˈdit-ē 

plural ditties

: a short simple song