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Synonyms

pally

American  
[pal-ee] / ˈpæl i /

adjective

Informal.
pallier, palliest

  1. friendly; comradely.

    old friends being pally at a class reunion.
pally British  
/ ˈpælɪ /

adjective

  1. informal on friendly or familiar terms

"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 pally

First recorded in 1890–95; pal + -y 1

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.

“For a four-year-old, an uncle is someone who gives you presents at Christmas and is pally with your parents,” says psychologist James Hampton of City, University of London, who was not involved in Kidd’s study.

From Scientific American • Apr. 25, 2023

His pally, Sammy Davis Jr., wasn’t invited to John F. Kennedy’s 1961 inauguration and in response, the singer refused to go out of loyalty to the fellow Rat Pack member.

From Fox News • Nov. 19, 2021

“But if you get too pally, the films won’t be any good,” quips Bale, letting out a roar.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 8, 2019

“She was certainly a lover of art and pally with its contemporary practitioners and wrapped up in the Pop Art world.”

From New York Times • Jun. 14, 2017

“No,” Maggot lied, so Hugo wouldn't think I was being pally.

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell

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.