Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

eeny, meeny, miny, moe

/ˌini ˌmini ˌmaɪni ˈmoʊ/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.13 in modern English

Syllables: eeny, meeny, miny, -moe
IPA: /ˌini ˌmini ˌmaɪni ˈmoʊ/

31

Scrabble Score

16

Letters

2

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A method of choosing between two or more people or things, used by children. A child points to each item in turn (or alternately), while saying a rhyme starting "Eeny, meeny, miney, moe", moving to the next item after each word. The item pointed to on the last word of the rhyme is the one chosen.

Uncountable

Example Sentences

"“...As for this thing”, ... he held up the shuttlecock, contaminated, in his outstretched right [hand], “this idiot tickler, the only thing it's good for is eeny-meeny-miney-mo”."
"“Well”, said Lord Galen in some dismay, “I suppose we shall have to cast lots or play at Eeni Meeni Mina Mo?”"
""Graham's quick reminder was crucial because I couldn't remember what anyone said. It was eeny-meany-miney-moe. Sue was miney.""

Etymology

Compare Dutch iene miene mutte, German ene mene mu.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˌini ˌmini ˌmaɪni ˈmoʊ/

Usage

Uncountable

Inflected Forms

eeni meeni mina mo (alternative) eeny-meeny-miney-mo (alternative)

Phrases

ip dip tinker, tailor duck, duck, goose nievie-nievie-nick-nack

Frequently Paired Words

ip dip tinker, tailor duck, duck, goose nievie-nievie-nick-nack

Questions

How do you pronounce eeny, meeny, miny, moe?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˌini ˌmini ˌmaɪni ˈmoʊ/.
What does eeny, meeny, miny, moe mean?: A method of choosing between two or more people or things, used by children. A child points to each item in turn (or alternately), while saying a rhyme starting "Eeny, meeny, miney, moe", moving to the next item after each word. The item pointed to on the last word of the rhyme is the one chosen.
Where does eeny, meeny, miny, moe come from?: Compare Dutch iene miene mutte, German ene mene mu.

How to pronounce eeny, meeny, miny, moe

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