A ditty is a short, simple song that's easy to remember and fun to sing. Think of the kind of tune you might make up on the spot while walking home from school, or a catchy little song from a commercial that gets stuck in your head. Ditties are usually lighthearted and playful rather than serious or complicated.

You might hear someone humming a ditty while doing chores, or a group of campers making up silly ditties around a campfire. The word suggests something casual and unpretentious: not a grand symphony or a chart-topping hit, just a pleasant little tune. A nursery rhyme like “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” could be called a ditty, as could a simple melody a character might whistle in an old cartoon.

When someone dismisses their song as “just a little ditty,” they're being humble about it, suggesting it's nothing fancy. But ditties have their own charm: they're memorable, singable, and can stick with you longer than more elaborate songs.