# hypocorism

> English word · Noun · IPA /haɪˈpɒ.kəˌɹɪ.zəm/

## Definitions
1. A term of endearment, often a diminutive; a pet name.
2. The formation of terms of endearment or pet names.
3. Baby talk, such as bow-wow for dog and choo-choo for train.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Late Latin hypocorisma, a loan from Ancient Greek ὑποκόρισμα (hupokórisma), ὑποκορισμός (hupokorismós, “pet name”), from ὑποκορίζεσθαι (hupokorízesthai), ὑποκορίζομαι (hupokorízomai, “to use a pet name; to act in a childish manner”), from ῠ̔πο- (hŭpo-, prefix indicating a small degree) + κορίζομαι (korízomai, “to caress”) (from κόρος (kóros, “boy; youth”), κόρη (kórē, “girl; young woman”)).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-09-03.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/hypocorism