dilly
0 synonyms and 0 antonyms for dilly, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Someone or something remarkably good, bad, or unusual — often used a little sarcastically.
We haven't recorded synonyms for dilly yet. You can still read its full definition, where it comes from, or words that rhyme with it.
How to use dilly
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Dated, informal slang — mostly heard in older or folksy speech today.
Etymology
Probably from "dill" (as in "dilly-dally," to dawdle) plus the adjective/diminutive ending -y, though its exact origin as slang for "remarkable" is uncertain.
Full origin of dilly →Frequently asked questions
What does “dilly” mean?
The word “dilly” means someone or something remarkably good, bad, or unusual — often used a little sarcastically. In plain terms, old-fashioned slang for something striking or remarkable (can be good or bad), or for someone acting a bit silly.
How do you pronounce “dilly”?
“Dilly” is pronounced DIH-lee (/ˈdɪli/ in IPA).
How do you use “dilly” in a sentence?
Here is “dilly” used in a sentence: “That last excuse of his was a real dilly.”
What part of speech is “dilly”?
Depending on how it is used, “dilly” can be a noun and an adjective.
How many meanings does “dilly” have?
“Dilly” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: someone or something remarkably good, bad, or unusual — often used a little sarcastically.