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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Nellie

Nellie Strandberg, a 16-year-old Brinell student, said she was on her way to the school's library when the assailant entered the institution.

From Barron's ● Aug. 22, 2026

Season 2 will take them to the banks of Plum Creek, near Walnut Grove, Minn., and into the orbit of one Nellie Oleson, who will be played by Willa Dunn.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 9, 2026

Located at a single Mobil station in Lee Vining, Calif., Whoa Nellie Deli is a culinary haven for Yosemite campers, skiers and travelers driving along U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 6, 2026

The EastEnders statement added: "Elizabeth Kelly created a wonderful character in Nellie Ellis, and it is with great sadness that we learn of her passing."

From BBC ● Feb. 4, 2026

He found Nellie playing with the water in the trough, pushing waves and tossing her head so that the water slopped out on the ground.

From "The Red Pony" by John Steinbeck

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