Kelly

¹

[kel-ee]

noun

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

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

3. Eugene Curran Gene, 1912–96, U.S. dancer, choreographer, actor, and director.

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

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

6. Walt, 1913–73, U.S. cartoonist.

7. Also Kellie. a male or female given name.

kelly

²

[kel-ee]

noun

Slang.

plural

kellies, kellys 

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

Kelly

/ ˈkɛlɪ /

noun

1. 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)

2. 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

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

4. See game 1

Word History and Origins

Origin of Kelly¹

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

Example Sentences

Running the hotel and spa with his wife, Kelly, the reopened Mission helped revitalize downtown.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Supermodels Naomi Campbell and Claudia Schiffer and singers Jessie J, Björk, Siouxsie Sioux, Grace Jones and Kelly Rowland are among the other stars who wore Hogg's designs over the years.

Read more on BBC

“I’ve never been more bullish about the trajectory of this organization than I am now,” said Sage Kelly, one of three co-chief executive officers installed after Lutnick’s departure in February.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

On Friday, the van ride included the Rev. Madison Jones McAleese, Navy veteran Brian Kelly and immigration lawyer Juan Jose Gutierrez, who can offer legal support to families or offer “know your right” basics to laborers.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The show, backed by the Punjab government, will feature a mix of local and international fighters, including Britons Alex Dilmaghani, Jimmy Kelly and James Metcalf.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• blue-green 
• olive