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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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

He stood holding his 21-month-old son, Jamison, his wife, Kelly, at his side.
Cop Families Boo De Blasio at NYPD Graduation|Michael Daly|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Iggy Azalea was born Amethyst Amelia Kelly in New South Wales.
The Cultural Crimes of Iggy Azalea|Amy Zimmerman|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Thanks to CompStat and strategies added by Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, crime continued to decline.
Eric Garner Was Just a Number to Them|Michael Daly|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Jenny Packham has proven an ideal fit for the Duchess,” Kelly said.
Kate Middleton, the Preggers Fashion Princess|Tom Sykes|November 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST

So I wrote that sketch with Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider.
How Aidy Bryant Stealthily Became Your Favorite ‘Saturday Night Live’ Star|Kevin Fallon|October 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Joe Kelly and a Mr. Peter Alley were fast asleep in their chairs, close to the wall.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun;|Various
Ellsworth died instantly and Jackson was immediately killed by bullets and bayonets used by Ellsworth's troops.
Hallowed Heritage: The Life of Virginia|Dorothy M. Torpey
Colonel Elmer Ellsworth, the Federal commander, decided to obtain this flag.
Hallowed Heritage: The Life of Virginia|Dorothy M. Torpey
Meyer had observed the danger of his officer, and had ordered Kelly to fire, blazing away too himself.
Overland|John William De Forest
Mr. Kelly approved of this measure as far as it went, but contended for the superiority of his own more comprehensive measure.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III.|E. Farr and E. H. Nolan

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