kelly
[kel-ee]
- a man's stiff hat, as a derby or straw skimmer.
Show More
Origin of kelly
First recorded in 1910–15; generic use of surname Kelly, taken as representative of a stage Irishman wearing such a derby
Kelly
[kel-ee]
- 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.
Show More
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
oliveblue-greenfirsapjadesagemosspineforestseagrasspeacockapplespinachwillowverdigrismalachiteberylchartreusekellyExamples from the Web for kelly
Contemporary Examples
He stood holding his 21-month-old son, Jamison, his wife, Kelly, at his side.
“Jenny Packham has proven an ideal fit for the Duchess,” Kelly said.
Does Kelly Johana have a valid excuse for attending the party with over 60 youth between the ages of 13 and 20?
The comparison prompted Kelly to release the terse statement: “Martha McSally is no Gabby Giffords.”
But Kelly continued with the storyline that Nolan is simply one of many Muslims living amongst us who at any time might kill you.
Historical Examples
The office of Bolton & Kelly has been the school of many prominent lawyers.
Cleveland Past and PresentMaurice Joblin
Pee-wee wondered who Kelly was and where his barn was located.
Pee-wee HarrisPercy Keese Fitzhugh
Then he gave Kelly a moderately truthful account of what had occurred.
People of PositionStanley Portal Hyatt
He had never given Kelly a hint, and no one else could have told him.
People of PositionStanley Portal Hyatt
Kelly, himself, had arrived in England with nothing, an unknown man.
People of PositionStanley Portal Hyatt
Kelly
- 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)
Show More
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
Word Origin and History for kelly
Kelly
common Irish surname, from Old Irish ceallach "war." As a type of pool played with 15 balls, it is attested from 1898. Kelly green first recorded 1917.
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper