Teenincy

In Southern and Appalachian speech, teenincy means very small, tiny, or barely any. It’s a classic regional diminutive used for small bites, small amounts, and anything that’s just a little bit.

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synonyms: tiny, little-bitty, teensy, teeny, small amount

Hillbilly Dude Says...

Another one that's in everday talk, 'teenincy' is for something maybe even smaller'n 'itty bitty.'

Hillbilly Dude Says...

Another one that's in everday talk, 'teenincy' is for something maybe even smaller'n 'itty bitty.'

Pronunciation

[TEE-nin-see]
/ˈtiː.nən.si/

Meaning & Usage

- Very small; tiny amount (adjective)

Mae:

Just gimme a teenincy bite of that cake.

Earl:

That’s all you’re takin’? Thought you loved chocolate.

Ruby:

Pour in a teenincy bit of milk to thin it out.

variations: teeninsey, teenincy-small, teeninsey-small, teenin’cy, teenycy, teeninc

★ "Teenincy" works best when stacked with other diminutives - "a teenincy little bit." The more words you pile on, the smaller the amount. ★

Origin and Etymology

"Teenincy" comes from blending "teeny" with the regional diminutive suffix "-incy," following a pattern common in Scots-Irish-influenced Appalachian English. Variants such as "teeninsey" and "teenincy-small" appear in 19th- and early 20th-century mountain dialect recordings and written transcriptions.

Usage Notes

"Teenincy" is common in older Appalachian and rural Southern speech and still recognized today. It’s used for amounts, bites, and little pieces that are almost too small to mention. Because it is primarily a spoken word, spellings vary widely.

Often paired with "little": "a teenincy little drop"
Most spellings are phonetic attempts to capture speech
Shorter forms like "teeninc" appear in quick, reduced conversation

Say It Like a Southerner

Say it quick and light: "TEE-nin-see." Mountain speech often softens the middle vowel, and fast talkers may shorten it further into "teeninc."

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Is "teenincy" the same as "teeny"?

Close, but "teenincy" adds an extra layer of emphasis - it means *very* tiny.

Is this only Appalachian?

It’s strongest in Appalachia but also heard in the broader rural South.

Why are there so many spellings?

Because it’s mainly spoken, and writers historically spelled it however it sounded to them.

Can it describe both things and amounts?

Yes - anything very small, especially portions or pieces.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 16). Teenincy. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/teenincy
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Teenincy." HillbillySlang.com, 16 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/teenincy.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Teenincy." HillbillySlang.com. November 16, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/teenincy.

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