welly

American  

[wel-ee] / ˈwɛl i /

Also wellie

noun

Chiefly British Informal.

plural

wellies

1. Usually wellies. Wellington boot.

---

welly British  

/ ˈwɛlɪ /

noun

1. Also called: welly boot.  informal a Wellington boot

2. slang energy, concentration, or commitment (esp in the phrase give it some welly )

---

Etymology

Origin of welly

First recorded in 1960–65; Well(ington boot) ( def. ) + -y ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

"It was a soggy welly, with, like, Fairy Liquid and a bit of salt."

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

Meehan-Berg suggested I put a bit more welly into it.

From The Guardian • Nov. 16, 2018

She’s really giving it some welly … Where’s Nicki?

From The Guardian • Nov. 22, 2015

Biggar had previously tried to put Alex Cuthbert in at the corner with a cross-field kick, but put too much welly on the ball and the ref called the players back for an advantage.

From The Guardian • Oct. 10, 2015

There were summat else i' th' way, and aw welly thought once he'd ha' lost me.’

From Lancashire Idylls (1898) by Mather, Marshall