willy-willy

[ wil-ee-wil-ee ]

noun

, Australian,

, plural wil·ly-wil·lies.

1. dust devil ( def ):

   A column of dust, held aloft by a willy-willy, rises high into the air in South Australia.

2. tropical cyclone ( def ):

   another willy-willy forming over the Timor Sea.

willy-willy

/ ˈwɪlɪˈwɪlɪ /

noun

1. a duststorm
2. obsolete.
   a tropical cyclone

Word History and Origins

Origin of willy-willy¹

First recorded in 1890–95; of obscure origin; probably from an Australian Aboriginal language

Word History and Origins

Origin of willy-willy¹

from a native Australian language

Example Sentences

Willy—Willy, wake up; there's some one moving around outdoors.

From Project Gutenberg

Evidently he had just arrived in White Cliffs, and had not yet been in a willy-willy (sand-storm).

From Project Gutenberg

A third cries, mournfully, "Willy-come-go, willy-willy-willy-come-go."

From Project Gutenberg