wally

[ wey-lee ]

/ ˈweɪ li /

adjective Scot.

fine; splendid.

strong.

Nearby words

Origin of wally

First recorded in 1490–1500; wale² + -y¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for wally

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

The name Wildstein assumed, Wally Edge, belonged to a former governor of New Jersey who died in 1956.
Christie and Wildstein: An Online Bromance|Olivia Nuzzi|February 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
You know, it's the most ridiculous thing to think of Jim and Wally as grown-ups.
Back To Billabong|Mary Grant Bruce
If things hadn't happened just as they did, and if I hadn't had that precious insight into Wally's character—good Lord!
The Air Trust|George Allan England
Wally had brought the favors in from Seattle and also the wines.
The Yukon Trail|William MacLeod Raine
Phoebe was running toward him, and the boys—Wally and Gene and Jack, from the blacksmith shop.
Good Indian|B. M. Bower
As soon as Wally can get his new suit that hes ordered from that nobby tailor.
The Motor Girls at Camp Surprise|Margaret Penrose

British Dictionary definitions for wally (1 of 3)

wally

/ (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)

wally

/ (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)

wally

/ (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

Word Origin and History for wally

wally

term of admiration, Scottish, early 16c., of unknown origin. As a masc. proper name, a diminutive of Walter, and this might be the source of the teen slang term "unfashionable person" (1969).