kelly

[ kel-ee ]

/ ˈkɛl i /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR kelly ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural kel·lies, kel·lys. Slang.

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

Nearby words

kellner eyepiece, kellogg, kellogg-briand pact, kells, kells, book of, kelly, kelly green, kelly's operation, kelmscott manor, keloid, keloidosis

Origin of kelly

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

Definition for kelly (2 of 2)

Kelly

[ kel-ee ]

/ ˈkɛl i /

noun

Ellsworth,born 1923, U.S. painter and sculptor.

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

Eugene Cur·ran [kur-uh n, kuhr-] /ˈkɜr ən, ˈkʌr-/, Gene, 1912–96, U.S. dancer, choreographer, actor, and director.

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

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

Walt,1913–73, U.S. cartoonist.

Also Kel·lie. a male or female given name.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for kelly

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
“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
Does Kelly Johana have a valid excuse for attending the party with over 60 youth between the ages of 13 and 20?
Colombian Beauty Queen Arrested for Running Child Prostitution Ring|Jason Batansky|October 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The comparison prompted Kelly to release the terse statement: “Martha McSally is no Gabby Giffords.”
The Battle Is On in Gabby Giffords’s Old District|Eleanor Clift|October 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST

But Kelly continued with the storyline that Nolan is simply one of many Muslims living amongst us who at any time might kill you.
Megyn Kelly’s Really Scary Muslim|Dean Obeidallah|October 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The brotherly business between the two prophets was coming to an end fast, and all on account of Mrs. Kelly.
Cape Cod Stories|Joseph C. Lincoln
You spit in your catcher's mit, like Kelly, the ten-thousand-dollar baseball beauty.
Hints to Pilgrims|Charles Stephen Brooks
Well, Doctor Kelly, when do you think the czar will be here?
A Jacobite Exile|G. A. Henty
Madam hums a tune; Mrs. Herrick loses herself in her knitting; but Mr. Kelly, who is always alive, says "Eh?"
Rossmoyne|Unknown
She desired a companion for her, and offered the place to Miss Kelly.
Neighbors|Jacob A. Riis

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