kelly

[ kel-ee ]

/ ˈkɛl i /

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noun, plural kel·lies, kel·lys.Slang.

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

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of kelly

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

Other definitions for kelly (2 of 2)

Kelly

[ kel-ee ]

/ ˈkɛl i /

noun

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

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

Eugene Cur·ran

[kur-uhn, kuhr-], /ˈkɜr ən, ˈkʌr-/, "Gene", 1912–96, U.S. dancer, choreographer, actor, and director.

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

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

Walt, 1913–73, U.S. cartoonist.

Also Kellie. a male or female given name.

How to use kelly in a sentence

Within are commissions from contemporary artists like Olafur Eliasson, Ellsworth Kelly, and Taryn Simon.
Frank Gehry Is Architecture’s Mad Genius|Sarah Moroz|October 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
An art curator might look up and say: 'Hey, that looks a little like an Ellsworth Kelly.
Banksy’s Biggest Trick Yet: Selling His Art on the Street for $60|Isabel Wilkinson|October 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for kelly

Kelly

/ (ˈkɛlɪ) /

noun

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)

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

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

game as Ned Kelly or as game as Ned Kelly See game 1 (def. 25)

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