Piggy is an affectionate nickname for a pig, especially when talking to young children or referring to a pig in a cute way. A farmer might call the smallest pig in a litter “little piggy,” or a parent might use “piggy” when playing the toe-counting game “This Little Piggy.” The word makes pigs sound friendly and adorable rather than just like farm animals.

You'll also hear piggy in common phrases and games. A piggy bank is a coin bank shaped like a pig where you save money. When someone gets a piggyback ride, they ride on another person's back with their arms around the person's shoulders and their legs around the person's waist, like a young pig might cling to its mother. And when you want to add your own idea to something someone else just said, you might piggyback on their comment.

The word can also describe pig-like qualities, though usually in a playful rather than mean way. If your little brother eats too quickly or messily, someone might tease him about being piggy at dinner. But it's best to be careful with this meaning, since it can hurt people's feelings.