golly

American  

[gol-ee] / ˈgɒl i /

interjection

Informal.

1. (used as a mild exclamation expressing surprise, wonder, puzzlement, pleasure, or the like.)

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golly ¹ British  

/ ˈɡɒlɪ /

verb

1. to spit

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noun

1. a gob of spit

golly ² British  

/ ˈɡɒlɪ /

interjection

1. an exclamation of mild surprise or wonder

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golly ³ British  

/ ˈɡɒlɪ /

noun

1. informal short for golliwog

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Etymology

Origin of golly

First recorded in 1840–50; euphemistic alteration of God

Example Sentences

“Golly, I’d sure like to meet that girl over there,” Powers confided to the cashier.

From Literature

Richter, though, is widely beloved or at least enjoyed, whether that’s due to his consistent improvement or his association with late-night at a time when that genre is politically imperiled, or his “gosh golly” affability.

From Salon

Golly, I thought, either I’m getting better or the Turbo S is.

From The Wall Street Journal

“At first I was thinking, ‘Golly, this is going to be a challenge,’” she replies.

From Los Angeles Times

“I am a loyal person,” Harris writes, which is not only self-justifying but has the slightly off-putting whiff of someone declaring, by golly, I’m just too honest.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cry
• exclamation
• expletive
• insertion
• interpolation
• interposition
• shout