Nellie
Americannoun
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a female given name, form of Helen.
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(often lowercase)
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Offensive. a fussily effeminate male.
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Extremely Disparaging and Offensive. a contemptuous term used to refer to a gay man.
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Etymology
Origin of Nellie
First recorded in 1930–35 Nellie for def. 2
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.
In 1993, Kelly joined the cast of EastEnders as Nellie Ellis - the sharp-tongued relative of Pauline Fowler.
From BBC • Feb. 4, 2026
Viktor and Nellie Anisovets bought a newly built home in Sacramento, Calif., in September.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 19, 2025
In the film, the car, nicknamed Wet Nellie, could transform into a submarine.
From BBC • Nov. 7, 2025
The semi-saving grace is the presence of the distinctive singer-songwriter Nellie McKay, who performs some of her original compositions before, after and between the plays, accompanying herself on several instruments.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 23, 2025
On Sunday I stream the Nellie DuMont Frissé episode where she answers questions kids have sent in.
From "Shine!" by J.J. and Chris Grabenstein
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
