welly
Americannoun
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wellies
plural
noun
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Also called: welly boot. informal a Wellington boot
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slang energy, concentration, or commitment (esp in the phrase give it some welly )
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of welly
First recorded in 1960–65; Well(ington boot) ( def. ) + -y 2 ( def. )
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.
See Examples For:
He said: "Yellow wellies are synonymous with the RNLI, the iconic yellow welly forms part of the crew's safety equipment both for our shore crew and boat crew with their drysuits."
From BBC ● Jun. 23, 2026
He said the yellow welly symbolised bravery, safety, and the charity's mission at sea.
From BBC ● Jun. 23, 2026
"It was a soggy welly, with, like, Fairy Liquid and a bit of salt."
From BBC ● Apr. 17, 2026
Back around the time of Erin Brockovich, Soderbergh gave procedurals like this righteous cinematic welly; here, he has practically accepted that he’s making a TV movie.
From The Guardian ● Oct. 19, 2019
I could welly have laughed to see their faces when Mester Adrian were trying to persuade her to stop at Pulwick, and let the men go alone.
From The Light of Scarthey by Egerton Castle
So 19 members of Syston Community Flood Group donned their wellies in the middle of summer and took to Syston Brook to clear an estimated "two or three tonnes" of silt.
From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2026
He said he carries a hand lens for taking a closer look at a rock that catches his eye, as well good hiking boots or wellies, and a flask of strong coffee.
From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026
Members of a lifeboat station surprised their newlywed crewmates with a guard of honour made up of oars and yellow wellies at their wedding.
From BBC ● Jun. 23, 2026
Remember to take wellies, waterproofs and warm layers in case the weather takes a turn or gets cold at night.
From BBC ● Jun. 15, 2025
I grab one of her wellies I’d packed and stuff the memo down into the toe.
From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
