wally

[ wey-lee ]

/ ˈweɪ li /

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adjective Scot.

fine; splendid.

strong.

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Origin of wally

First recorded in 1490–1500; wale² + -y¹

Words nearby wally

Wall Street, Wall Streeter, wall system, wall tent, wall-to-wall, wally, wallyball, wallydrag, walnut, Walnut Creek, walnut family

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use wally in a sentence

Wally said, “One day, Woody Allen will pass, and people will wonder if he really lived.”
Coffee Talk with Ethan Hawke: On ‘Boyhood,’ Jennifer Lawrence, and Bill Clinton’s Urinal Exchange|Marlow Stern|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Wally Pipp and Everett Scott, who had played watershed roles in Lou's career were also on hand.
The Stacks: The Day Lou Gehrig Delivered Baseball’s Gettysburg Address|Ray Robinson|July 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But Wally Triplett knew both and struck up a friendship with Robinson and Doby that historic year.
Playing Pinochle and Breaking Barriers With Jackie Robinson|Evan Weiner|March 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In September 2000, Wally Edge invited then-governor Christie Todd Whitman to his “127th birthday celebration.”
Christie and Wildstein: An Online Bromance|Olivia Nuzzi|February 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Shorter Wally Edge: THIS is how important Chris Christie is.
Christie and Wildstein: An Online Bromance|Olivia Nuzzi|February 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
So we borrowed Uncle Wally's new automobile and started right for home!
Peace on Earth, Good-will to Dogs|Eleanor Hallowell Abbott
Colonel Peck was preparing to drive as Wally hove alongside.
Fore!|Charles Emmett Van Loan
He did not turn a hair or bat an eye, but waited for Wally to run out of breath.
Fore!|Charles Emmett Van Loan
Wally yelled again; this time they did not even look at him.
Fore!|Charles Emmett Van Loan
"There oughtn't to be any congestion on a day like this," said Wally.
Fore!|Charles Emmett Van Loan

British Dictionary definitions for wally (1 of 3)

wally¹

/ (ˈweɪlɪ) /

adjective Scot archaic

fine, pleasing, or splendid

robust or strong

Word Origin for wally

C16: of obscure origin

British Dictionary definitions for wally (2 of 3)

wally²

/ (ˈwælɪ) /

adjective Central Scot dialect

made of chinaa wally dug; a wally vase

lined with ceramic tilesa wally close

Word Origin for wally

from obsolete dialect wallow faded, adjectival use of wallow to fade, from Old English wealwian

British Dictionary definitions for wally (3 of 3)

wally³

/ (ˈwɒlɪ) /

noun plural -lies

slang a stupid person

Word Origin for wally

C20: shortened form of the given name Walter

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