Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

wally

American  
[wey-lee] / ˈweɪ li /

adjective

Scot.
  1. fine; splendid.

  2. strong.


wally 1 British  
/ ˈweɪlɪ /

adjective

  1. fine, pleasing, or splendid

  2. robust or strong

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

wally 2 British  
/ ˈwælɪ /

adjective

  1. made of china

    a wally dug

    a wally vase

  2. lined with ceramic tiles

    a wally close

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

wally 3 British  
/ ˈwɒlɪ /

noun

  1. slang a stupid person

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of wally

First recorded in 1490–1500; wale 2 + -y 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“No, I’m a total wally at home. I’m the fourth kid.”

From The Guardian • Mar. 30, 2018

Alan, who gives his age as 55, is not quite the brash, chirpy young wally you can find in video clips on the Internet.

From New York Times • Apr. 3, 2014

"I'm just a wally hanging out on Pattaya Beach," sings Shane MacGowan on House of the Gods, which features a melody from I Know There's an Answer on Pet Sounds.

From The Guardian • Jul. 12, 2012

Of course he's England's patron saint, you wally, representing all those romantic notions of Englishness, a defiant spirit, dragon slaying and a jolly large red cross.

From The Guardian • Apr. 21, 2010

If I didn't I'd just look like a total wally.

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "wally" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com