Nelly

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /nÉ›li/
• Rhymes: -É›li

Shortened from Nelly Duff, for puff, i.e. breath of life

Full definition of nelly

Noun

1. (Cockney rhyming slang) Life.

Usage notes

Used principally in the phrase not on your nelly.

From the woman's name, Nelly

Noun

1. (derogatory, slang) An effeminate homosexual man.
2. (British, slang) A silly person.
3. A common name for the giant petrels, Macronectes giganteus and Macronectes halli

Hyponyms

• (petrel) Antarctic giant petrel, northern piant petrel, southern giant fulmar, southern giant petrel

Adjective

1. (slang) Unmanly, effeminate.