Mighty

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "mighty" is a common intensifier meaning "very," "extremely," or "quite." It’s used before adjectives or adverbs to add warmth and emphasis: "mighty kind," "mighty proud," "mighty fine."

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #Southern

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I use this one more when I'm admonishin' behavior. 'Oh that's 'mighty brave of that feller to hooddoo the mayor.' And I'll stretch out that 'i' sound. This is still common in the country.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I use this one more when I'm admonishin' behavior. 'Oh that's 'mighty brave of that feller to hooddoo the mayor.' And I'll stretch out that 'i' sound. This is still common in the country.

Pronunciation

[MY-tee]
/ˈmaɪti/

Meaning & Usage

- Very; extremely; quite (adverbial intensifier)

Mae:

We’re mighty glad you stopped by.

- Strong or powerful (adjective)

Mae:

That’s a mighty river out there.

variations: very, extremely, right (regional intensifier), plumb (regional intensifier)

★ "Mighty" as an intensifier survived in Southern/Appalachian speech long after it faded in most of the U.S. It sits alongside "right," "plumb," and "pure" as classic regional ways to say "very." ★

Origin and Etymology

From Old English "mihtiġ" (powerful) and Middle English "mighti." In older English it meant both "strong" and "extremely." Recorded in regional word lists and Appalachian speech as a friendly intensifier ("mighty kind," "mighty fine").

Usage Notes

Still everyday in Southern/Appalachian speech. Outside the region "mighty" as an intensifier sounds quaint but is widely understood and often used playfully.

Say It Like a Southerner

Say it natural: often "mah-tee" or "mi-tee" in mountain speech. Pairs easily with adjectives: "mighty big," "mighty glad."

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Does "mighty" always mean "strong"?

Not in the South/Appalachia - it also means "very" or "extremely" when used before an adjective.

Is "mighty kind" a compliment?

Yes - a warm, traditional way to say "thank you kindly."

Is it still common today?

Very much so - in conversation, storytelling, and music lyrics across the region.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 21). Mighty. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/mighty
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Mighty." HillbillySlang.com, 21 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/mighty.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Mighty." HillbillySlang.com. September 21, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/mighty.