bally

¹ American

[bal-ee] / ˈbæl i /

adjective

British Slang.

damned (euphemism forbloody ).

Bally ² American

[bah-lee] / ˈbɑ li /

noun

a city in SW West Bengal, in E India, NW of Kolkata.

bally ¹ British

/ ˈbælɪ /

adjective

slang a euphemism for bloody

"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

bally ² British

/ ˈbælɪ /

noun

dialect a thumb

"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 bally

First recorded in 1840–50; by alteration

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.

On the ground, Squadron Leader "Bally", an RAF F-35 pilot, explains the complexity of the mission.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

In a Wednesday statement, Campbell’s confirmed the voice in the recording is Bally, and that he is “no longer employed at the company.”

From Barron's • Nov. 26, 2025

He believes Bally and his former manager were behind the termination, according to the lawsuit.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 26, 2025

Garza said he has suffered stress and mental anguish since meeting with Bally last year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 26, 2025

I looked at him slouching in his chair: polka-dot tie, narrow Bally shoes, foxy narrow face.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023