Definitions For Nelly

Etymology 1

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

Noun

{{qualifier, not used in the plural}} (Cockney rhyming slang) A person's life.

Usage notes

Used principally in the phrase not on your nelly.

Etymology 2

From the woman's name Nelly.

Noun

{{en-noun, nellies}} (derogatory, slang) An effeminate homosexual man. (British, slang) A silly person. A giant petrel, macronectes giganteus and macronectes halli.

Hyponyms

petrel Antarctic giant petrel, northern giant petrel, southern giant fulmar, southern giant petrel

Translations

German: Riesensturmvogel

Adjective

{{en-adj, er}} (slang) unmanly, unmanly; effeminate.