Nellie

American  

[nel-ee] / ˈnɛl i /

Or Nelly

noun

1. a female given name, form of Helen.

2. (often lowercase)

   1. Offensive. a fussily effeminate male.

   2. Extremely Disparaging and Offensive. a contemptuous term used to refer to a gay man.

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Nellie Idioms  

1. see nervous nellie.

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Etymology

Origin of Nellie

First recorded in 1930–35 Nellie for def. 2

Example Sentences

Her agent added: "Elizabeth enjoyed an illustrious career spanning many decades but is probably best known as Auntie Nellie in EastEnders."

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2026

It includes a wordless soprano in tribute to Nellie Melba, the Australian soprano.

From BBC • Oct. 18, 2025

And her joie de vivre was a signature in many other portrayals, including Nellie Lovett in “Sweeney Todd” and Mame Dennis in “Mame,” her breakout Broadway role in 1966.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 16, 2025

She founded the Free Press with her wife, Nellie Bowles, who pens the popular “TGIF” column, a humorous take on the week’s news, as well as sister Suzy Weiss, who is a columnist.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 6, 2025

He thought of Nellie as he walked, and of the little colt.

From "The Red Pony" by John Steinbeck