ditty

noun

dit·​ty ˈdi-tē 

plural ditties

: an especially simple and unaffected song

Synonyms

• 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

The 1994 ditty, a perfect blend of late grunge and the poppier rock that would begin to take hold into the mid- to late ’90s, is perhaps one of their most beloved tracks. —Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2025

In addition to working with Anderson on the vocals, Gillies also co-wrote the song, and frequent MacFarlane collaborator Joel McNeely composed the two-and-a-half-minute ditty. —EW.com, 18 July 2025

As the train sped into the gathering dusk and a piano-sax duo played Jazz Age ditties, 40-odd passengers, some dressed in black tie and formal dresses, mingled over cocktails like guests at a country-house weekend. —Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 16 July 2025

Their ditties are delightful, poignant and powerful. —David John Chávez, Mercury News, 28 June 2025

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
• witty
• atomicity
• catholicity
• ellipticity
• historicity

Kids Definition

ditty

noun

dit·​ty ˈdit-ē 

plural ditties

: a short simple song