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Synonyms

lulu

1 American  
[loo-loo] / ˈlu lu /

noun

  1. Slang. any remarkable or outstanding person or thing.

    His black eye is a lulu.

  2. (initial capital letter) a female given name, form of Louise.


lulu 2 American  
[loo-loo] / ˈlu lu /

noun

Slang.
  1. a fixed allowance paid to a legislator in lieu of reimbursement for actual expenses.


lulu British  
/ ˈluːluː /

noun

  1. slang a person or thing considered to be outstanding in size, appearance, etc

"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

Etymology

Origin of lulu1

First recorded in 1855–60; in slang sense, perhaps generic use of the proper name

Origin of lulu2

Special use of lulu 1, with play on lieu, from a facetious remark attributed to New York governor Al Smith

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

That included another lulu, proud former Confederate officer, Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar – a sop to Cleveland’s restive Southern Democratic supporters.

From Fox News Sep. 21, 2020

The actual chairmen and chairwomen — all Republicans — earned larger stipends for other leadership positions; they are allowed only one stipend payment, commonly known as a lulu.

From New York Times May 15, 2017

Behind closed doors everyone's going lulu but we rarely let anyone else know.

From The Guardian May 11, 2013

According to New York Magazine's Vulture blog, Kaufman's been working on his next writing/directing project, "Frank or Francis," and it sounds like, as Myrna Loy might say in "The Thin Man," a lulu.

From Seattle Times Oct. 3, 2011

I gave away a lulu of a Picasso story that had just reached me, one that I might have put aside for a rainy day.

From "Nine Stories" by J. D. Salinger

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