burley

[ bur-lee ]

/ ˈbɜr li /

noun, plural bur·leys. (often initial capital letter)

an American tobacco with thin leaves and light color, grown especially in Kentucky and nearby regions, used mostly in cigarettes.

Nearby words

burleigh, henry thacker, burleson, burlesque, burlesquely, burletta, burley, burleycue, burlingame, burlingame, anson, burlington, burlwood

Origin of burley

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85; apparently from proper name

Definition for burley (2 of 3)

burley

[ bur-lee ]

/ ˈbɜr li /

noun, plural bur·leys. Informal.

a burlesque show.

Origin of burley

cf. burlecue, burleycue

Definition for burley (3 of 3)

Burley

[ bur-lee ]

/ ˈbɜr li /

noun

a male given name.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for burley

She planned to use her work lunch break to see her doctor in Burley, about nine-and-a-half miles away.
Idaho Woman Who Gave Birth on Highway: ‘I Had to Pull My Pants Down to Get the Baby Out’|Dale Eisinger|July 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He said he wasnt very good at persuasion and thought Burley would require lots of it; so he asked me to see him.
On Your Mark!|Ralph Henry Barbour
The most flattering encomiums preceded the extracts, and the extracts were as stereotypes of Burley's talk.
My Novel, Complete|Edward Bulwer-Lytton
Burley, to support consistently his character as an old man-of-wars man, asserted his "rights" by standing three or four calls.
There She Blows!|William Hussey Macy

While speaking these words, Burley unslung his carabine, and held it in readiness.
Old Mortality, Complete, Illustrated|Sir Walter Scott
Mrs. Burley also rose, moving over towards the door, away from him.
The Wolves of God|Algernon Blackwood

British Dictionary definitions for burley (1 of 2)

burley

/ (ˈbɜːlɪ) /

noun, verb

a variant spelling of berley

British Dictionary definitions for burley (2 of 2)

burley

/ (ˈbɜːlɪ) /

noun

a light thin-leaved tobacco, grown esp in Kentucky

Word Origin for burley

C19: probably from the name Burley

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