kelly

¹

[kel-ee]

noun

Slang.

plural

kellies, kellys 

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

Kelly

²

[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

/ 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

Match of the Day's Kelly Cates, Joe Hart and Danny Murphy discuss whether Nick Woltemade is proving he is worth the hefty £69m price tag Newcastle paid for him in the summer.

From BBC

The original Committee for the First Amendment included actors such as Henry Fonda, Lucille Ball, Judy Garland, Humphrey Bogart, Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra, who traveled to Washington in 1947 to oppose anti-Communist hearings targeting the film industry.

From Salon

They painted one wall in Gibson’s office a dramatic Kelly green, which makes the white-trimmed windows and his extensive art collection pop.

From Los Angeles Times

Kelly Bishop reflects on the hit show ‘Gilmore Girls’ in her new memoir, ‘The Third Gilmore Girl.’

From Los Angeles Times

Chloe Kelly scores from the edge of the box to get Arsenal level against her former side Manchester City in the Women's Super League at the Joie Stadium.

From BBC

Related Words

• blue-green 
• olive