kelly

¹ American  

[kel-ee] / ˈkɛl i /

noun

Slang.

plural

kellies, kellys

1. a man's stiff hat, as a derby or straw skimmer.

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Kelly ² American  

[kel-ee] / ˈkɛl i /

noun

1. Ellsworth, 1923–2015, U.S. painter and sculptor.

2. Emmett (Leo), 1898–1979, U.S. circus clown and pantomimist.

3. Eugene Curran Gene, 1912–96, U.S. dancer, choreographer, actor, and director.

4. George (Edward), 1887–1974, U.S. playwright and actor.

5. Grace Patricia Princess Grace of Monaco, 1929–82, U.S. actress: married Prince Rainier III of Monaco 1956.

6. Walt, 1913–73, U.S. cartoonist.

7. Also Kellie. a male or female given name.

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Kelly British  

/ ˈkɛlɪ /

noun

1. Gene, full name Eugene Curran Kelly. 1912–96, US dancer, choreographer, film actor, and director. His many films include An American in Paris (1951) and Singin' in the Rain (1952)

2. Grace. 1929–82, US film actress. Her films included High Noon (1952) and High Society (1956). She married Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956 and died following a car crash

3. Ned. 1855–80, Australian horse and cattle thief and bushranger, active in Victoria: captured by the police and hanged

4. See game 1

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Etymology

Origin of kelly

First recorded in 1910–15; generic use of surname Kelly, taken as representative of a stage Irishman wearing such a derby

Example Sentences

“If we don’t act now, we risk the ability to protect the community,” said Michael B. O’Kelly, the Bell Gardens city manager.

From Los Angeles Times

Bell Garden risks losing about 40% of its general funds if the ban is enacted, O’Kelly said.

From Los Angeles Times

“The neck ages in dog years all by itself but tech neck is rapidly increasing our dog years,” talk show host Kelly Ripa warned viewers late last year.

From The Wall Street Journal

Iranian missiles are striking targets at a higher rate than early in the conflict, said Kelly Grieco, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center, a Washington think tank, citing a review she did of open-source strike data.

From The Wall Street Journal

“The Fed is unlikely to make much progress in reducing its balance sheet,” David Kelly, chief global strategist at J.P.

From Barron's

Related Words

• blue-green
• olive