attagirl

1 of 2

interjection

at·​ta·​girl ¦a-tə-¦gərl 

—used to express encouragement, approval, or admiration to a woman or girl

They also wore ponytails out the backs of their hats and shouted "Attagirl!" every time a fielder made a nice stop in the dirt.

—Brian MacPherson, Arizona Republic, 20 June 2006

attagirl

2 of 2

noun

at·​ta·​girl ¦a-tə-¦gərl 

plural attagirls

chiefly US, informal

: an expression of encouragement, approval, or admiration given to a woman or girl

I've had plenty of friends tell me they read these weekly updates and offer encouragement. I've also had lots of readers I don't know send attagirls or dieting suggestions by e-mail.

—Susan Pierce, Chattanooga (Tennessee) Times Free Press, 13 May 2010

Word History

Etymology

Interjection

alteration of that's the girl (after attaboy entry 1)

Noun

derivative of attagirl entry 1

First Known Use

Interjection

1917, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1974, in the meaning defined above

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