kelly

¹ American  

[kel-ee] / ˈkɛl i /

noun

Slang.

plural

kellies, kellys

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

---

Kelly ² American  

[kel-ee] / ˈkɛl i /

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 British  

/ 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

---

Etymology

Origin of kelly

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

Example Sentences

“I’m old. I’ve been around,” says Clooney, currently starring in Noah Baumbach‘s “Jay Kelly,” playing a famous and, frankly, selfish actor taking stock late in life.

From Los Angeles Times

Jay Kelly is allergic to career retrospectives and honors.

From Los Angeles Times

Jay Kelly is plagued with regret, but I sense that you’re not one to ruminate over the past.

From Los Angeles Times

The couple, who have worked in the entertainment industry for more than 29 years writing and producing music for artists like Kelly Rowland and television shows such as “Desperate Housewives,” had lost their Altadena home in the Eaton fire a few months earlier.

From Los Angeles Times

He’s great in “Jay Kelly,” his loyal, long-suffering agent acting as a nice, human foil to George Clooney’s sometimes insufferable star.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blue-green
• olive