bally
5 synonyms and 0 antonyms for bally, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — A dated, mild British slang intensifier meaning "bloody" — used to add emphasis without swearing outright.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
A softened alteration of "bloody," used to swear without actually swearing.
Full origin of bally →Frequently asked questions
What does “bally” mean?
The word “bally” means a dated, mild British slang intensifier meaning "bloody" — used to add emphasis without swearing outright. In plain terms, an old-fashioned, polite way of saying "bloody" for emphasis, mostly heard in early-to-mid 20th century British English.
How do you pronounce “bally”?
“Bally” is pronounced BA-lee (/ˈbæli/ in IPA).
How do you use “bally” in a sentence?
Here is “bally” used in a sentence: “What a bally nuisance this rain is!”
What part of speech is “bally”?
Depending on how it is used, “bally” can be an adjective and an adverb.
How many meanings does “bally” have?
“Bally” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a dated, mild British slang intensifier meaning "bloody" — used to add emphasis without swearing outright.