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• riley
  riley

  adjective

  turbid; roily.
• Riley
  Riley

  noun

  James Whitcomb 1849–1916, U.S. poet.

riley

¹ American  

[rahy-lee] / ˈraɪ li /

adjective

Chiefly Northern and North Midland U.S.

1. turbid; roily.

2. angry; vexed.

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Riley ² American  

[rahy-lee] / ˈraɪ li /

noun

1. James Whitcomb 1849–1916, U.S. poet.

2. life of. life of Riley.

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Riley ¹ British  

/ ˈraɪlɪ /

noun

1. Bridget ( Louise ). born 1931, English painter, best known for her black-and-white op art paintings of the 1960s

2. Gina . born 1961, Australian television actress and writer, best known for playing 'Kim' in the comedy series Kath & Kim (2002–07)

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Riley ² British  

/ ˈraɪlɪ /

noun

1. a luxurious and carefree existence

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riley Idioms  

1. see life of riley.

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Etymology

Origin of riley

An Americanism dating back to 1795–1805; rile + -y ¹

Example Sentences

“The number-one reason that women get into the 1% is drive,” Riley says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

The British novelist Gwendoline Riley introduces her narrator, Laura, through a series of episodes that capture her uneasy foray into adulthood—caught between her working-class origins and her new place among London’s creatively ambitious, self-involved elite.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

Branch was ranked as the nation’s No. 1 wide receiver out of Las Vegas Bishop Gorman High and considered a landmark recruiting win for USC coach Lincoln Riley.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026

Maddie Riley moved to Water Orton two years ago and said her partner's asthma had deteriorated and now required medication.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

Jake moved to stand over Miss Riley with a folded newspaper, but the angry bees had too many targets and gave up in confusion, retreating back up the mountain.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam