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titiwi

(Caribbean) A juvenile goby.

tɪˈtaɪwiDocumented since 1930s1930sSilenthistoricalFading254 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🎤 Black culture & AAVE
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Etymology timeline

Born ~1938 · 1 year of recorded use
1938Born2023: 2 citationsToday, 2026

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Caribbean
#1·Apr 27, 2026Caribbean

(Caribbean) A juvenile goby.

In addition to these staples, the villagers are supplied animal proteins from wild animals and creatures such as manique (tree kangaroo), agoutis (Dasyprocta spp.) ciwiks (land crab), viyos (stream snail), cuibishes (cray fish), titiwis …
For parents

"titiwi" means a juvenile goby. It is one of many casual words teens pick up from friends, social media, music or sport, and on its own it carries no particular warning. If you hear your teen use it, it is fair to ask what they mean by it in their friend group, since meanings drift quickly. Asking out of curiosity rather than alarm tends to keep the conversation open and useful.

For ESL learners

"titiwi" is informal, ethnically marked slang English meaning a juvenile goby. It comes from Caribbean English. A more formal or neutral equivalent would be something like "a juvenile goby" expressed in standard vocabulary. A common mistake is to assume "titiwi" can replace its standard equivalent in every register; keep it for spoken or casual situations and use the formal form in writing. If you are a B2 or C1 learner, it is useful to recognise this word when you hear or read it, but think carefully about whether the situation really calls for it before using it yourself.

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For specific readers

"titiwi" means a juvenile goby. It is one of many casual words teens pick up from friends, social media, music or sport, and on its own it carries no particular warning. If you hear your teen use it, it is fair to ask what they mean by it in their friend group, since meanings drift quickly. Asking out of curiosity rather than alarm tends to keep the conversation open and useful.

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

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Caribbean

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