colloq. Also sonnie. [f. SON sb. + -Y.] A familiar term of address to a boy or to a man younger than the speaker.
1870. Routledge’s Ev. Boy’s Ann., 688. Yes, my dear sonny, that is exactly what I mean.
1883. Stevenson, Treasure Isl., ii. ‘Come here, sonny,’ says he.
1891. W. Clark Russell, Curatica, i. ‘Oh!’ said my mother, ‘just the very thing! Listen, sonnie!’
Sonny, obs. form of SUNNY a.
