burley
noun
an American tobacco with thin leaves and light color, grown especially in Kentucky and nearby regions, used mostly in cigarettes.
burley
1 American
[bur-lee]
/ ˈbɜr li /
noun
(often initial capital letter)
-
burleys
plural
burley
2
American
[bur-lee]
/ ˈbɜr li /
noun
Informal.
-
burleys
plural
Burley
3
American
[bur-lee]
/ ˈbɜr li /
noun
burley
1
British
/ ˈbɜːlɪ /
noun
burley
2
British
/ ˈbɜːlɪ /
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of burley1
An Americanism dating back to 1880–85; apparently from proper name
Origin of burley2
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.
See Examples For:
Despite others’ qualms about the product, the Tuckers plan to continue to grow burley tobacco as long as it remains economically feasible.
From New York Times ● Nov. 22, 2021
Wagner met Dillon at the line but the burley 247-pound second-year running back carried him into the end zone.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 14, 2021
It also has burley wheels with super-wide-flange hubs, a dropper seat post, and a low center of gravity for great handling.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 5, 2018
That’s how 60-year-old Laura Donnelly ended up running alongside burley, tattooed men.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 8, 2016
They eagerly traded harsh burley tobaccos then popular for the mild and sweet-tasting bright tobacco they found in Durham.
From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson
“Boys in the alleyway, fondling marbles in their chilblained fingers or plotting Hurley Burley: these would remain foreign to him,” writes Li.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026
Debbie Burley told the BBC her grandfather, Arthur James Emberton, also went through electric shock therapy.
From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026
"She was a lovely girl, and very smart," Burley explained.
From BBC ● Jul. 3, 2026
Burley awarded a "relatively low" financial compensation of about Aus$100,000, based on the freehold value of the land.
From Barron's ● May 12, 2026
That night, as we made ready to sleep, Bear informed me that on the following day we would reach a village by the name of Burley.
From "Crispin: The Cross of Lead" by Avi
Trailers, which are sometimes called burleys, are easy to use and the safest choice for toddlers, says Anne Mader, co-owner of the Bike Lane, a shop with locations in Reston and Springfield.
From Washington Post ● Sep. 23, 2020
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