welly

[ wel-ee ]

noun

, Chiefly British Informal.

, plural wel·lies.

1. Usually wellies. Wellington boot.

welly

/ ˈwɛlɪ /

noun

1. informal.
   Also calledwelly boot -lies a Wellington boot
2. slang.
   energy, concentration, or commitment (esp in the phrase give it some welly )

Word History and Origins

Origin of welly¹

First recorded in 1960–65; Well(ington boot) ( def ) + -y ²( def )

Example Sentences

A person exceedingly hungry says, "I'm welly clem'd; I'm almost or well-nigh starved."

From Project Gutenberg

It's as if speeches folk ha' made—clever and smart things as I've thought at the time—come up now my heart's welly brossen.

From Project Gutenberg

Fire's welly out,' said he, giving it a vigorous poke, as if to turn attention away from himself.

From Project Gutenberg

On asking the price you are informed that the serge "b'long welly cheap" at fourteen dollars and the flannel at twelve.

From Project Gutenberg

An' Juliet, she gets welly mad, because she wants to marry Romeo.

From Project Gutenberg