colleen
[kol-een, ko-leen]
- an Irish girl.
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Origin of colleen
1820–30; < Irish cailín, equivalent to caile girl, wench + -ín diminutive suffix
Colleen
[kol-een, ko-leen]
- a female given name: from an Irish word meaning “girl.”
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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for colleen
Contemporary Examples
No one can understand how you feel when you visit Colleen and the kids.
His wife, Colleen, had been rinsing plates at the sink and putting them in the dishwasher.
Since then Colleen Howe hasn't missed more than four or five home games.
“They tell me the buses don't run here after 4:30,” Colleen said to him.
Misty White Sidell speaks to costume designer Colleen Atwood about the changes.
‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ Hits Broadway With Costumes by Colleen AtwoodMisty White Sidell
March 27, 2013
Historical Examples
If we're dressing you as an Irish colleen, Mary Ellen, we'll do it properly.
General John ReganGeorge A. Birmingham
Tobin advertised in the papers, but nothing could be found of the colleen.
The Four MillionO. Henry
Bodagh, you have no nather in you—no bowels for your colleen dahs.
Fardorougha, The MiserWilliam Carleton
Woman, there's a fortin' in ivery wurrd this colleen shpakes!
Toto's Merry WinterLaura E. Richards
So the colleen left her, and came back, crying and frighted.
Wild WalesGeorge Borrow
colleen
- an Irish word for girl
- an Irish girl
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Word Origin
C19: from Irish Gaelic cailín a girl, a young unmarried woman
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
Word Origin and History for colleen
Colleen
fem. proper name, from Irish cailin "girl," diminutive of caile "girl, woman."
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper