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brolly

American  
[brol-ee] / ˈbrɒl i /

noun

British Informal.

plural

brollies

  1. an umbrella.

brolly British  
/ ˈbrɒlɪ /

noun

  1. an informal Brit name for umbrella

"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 brolly

1870–75; alteration of (um)brell(a) + -y 2

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.

Cahin Brolly said: "The rise in prices means I would probably do a once-a-week shop and keep it to the bare essentials and not buy anything unnecessary."

From BBC • Jul. 16, 2025

Could Joe Brolly move from pundit to politician?

From BBC • Aug. 9, 2023

Mr Brolly told the court that "witnesses make it clear that this was self-defence… there is no evidence which contradicts this".

From BBC • Nov. 3, 2022

Brolly - Essential British accoutrement also known as an umbrella, carried by men and women alike daily without embarrassment.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 25, 2012

Observe, it is pre-war; And beneath the old Black Brolly There's room for several more.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 159, December 8, 1920 by Seaman, Owen, Sir

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.