Nellie
Americannoun
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a female given name, form of Helen.
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(often lowercase)
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Offensive. a fussily effeminate male.
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Extremely Disparaging and Offensive. a contemptuous term used to refer to a gay man.
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Etymology
Origin of Nellie
First recorded in 1930–35 Nellie for def. 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Barton let him in on a less popular trip that involved a great swimming hole, fish tacos at Whoa Nellie Deli, an adventure around Mono Lake and a drive through a stunning mountain pass.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026
In 2024, she was awarded the prestigious Nellie Bly Award for her reporting on the intersection of gambling and investing.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 23, 2026
“And she loved to come out here and would stay just across the street at the Desert Inn, which was run by Nellie Coffman.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 9, 2025
The semi-saving grace is the presence of the distinctive singer-songwriter Nellie McKay, who performs some of her original compositions before, after and between the plays, accompanying herself on several instruments.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2025
Billy Buck haltered the mare Nellie and led her out of the pasture.
From "The Red Pony" by John Steinbeck
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
