wee

WEE/wiː/

Adjectiveweer, weest

Noun pluralwees (some meanings)

Verbwees, weeing, weed

5 meanings of wee

1
littleadjectivedialectalIrelandNew ZealandNorthern EnglandScotland
Very small in size or amount.
Like calling a small thing tiny to show it is very small.
They live in a wee house at the end of the lane.
Can I have just a wee bit of cake?
UsageSay a wee bit for a little.
Similarlittle, small, tiny
Oppositebig, large
Note
2
a peenouncolloquialuncountable
An informal word for urine, or for going to the toilet to pass it: 'I need a wee.'
There was a puddle of wee on the bathroom floor.
The puppy left a patch of wee by the door.
UsageUse a wee for one act, but wee without a for the liquid.
Similarpee, urine, piddle
Note
3
pass urineverbcolloquialUKintransitive
To pass urine, in a gentle everyday way.
The toddler needs to wee before we leave the house.
He stepped behind the bushes to wee.
UsageThe past form is weed.
Similarpee, urinate
Note
4
time or distancenoundialectalcountable
A short amount of time, or a short distance.
Wait a wee and the rain will stop.
Sit by the fire and rest a wee before you go home.
UsageSay wait a wee.
Similarwhile, bit

Less common meaning

5
we (stressed)pronounobsoleteemphatic
Emphatic form of we: an old spelling of we when it was said with extra force.
Note

Practice

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Origins

Meanings 1, 4

From Old English wǣġ, wǣġe meaning "weight," once used to mean "a little bit."

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts

Wee ultimately derives from Old English wǣġ, wǣġe meaning “weight.” en.wiktionary.org
An earlier form of wee meant “a little bit,” a meaning documented at the Middle English stage. en.wiktionary.org

Meanings 2–3

An imitation of the sound of urinating; the noun comes from the verb.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts

Wee originated as an imitation of the sound of urination. en.wiktionary.org
The noun wee derives from the verb. en.wiktionary.org