noun
Common
billy
BIH-lee
Billy (noun) means an adult male goat. Example: “The billy butted against the fence trying to reach the grass.”
noun
1
An adult male goat.
"The billy butted against the fence trying to reach the grass."
"The farmer kept one billy with a herd of twenty nanny goats."
"A large billy with curved horns stood guard at the top of the hill."
2
A police officer's club or baton.
"The officer carried a billy on his belt."
"In the old film, the constable swung his billy as he walked the beat."
"The museum displays a wooden billy once used by a night watchman."
3
A metal pot with a lid and handle used for boiling water or tea outdoors, chiefly in Australian and New Zealand English.
"They boiled the billy over the campfire for tea."
"She hung the blackened billy over the fire and waited for it to boil."
"The campers made tea in a billy beside the river."
How to use billy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDepending on context: a male goat, a police club, or (Australian/NZ) a camping kettle.
UK vs US
The "camping pot" sense is distinctly Australian/New Zealand.
Common pairings
billy goat
billy club
boil the billy
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Word forms
- Plural
- billies
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ butted against the fence trying to reach the grass.
Etymology
Of uncertain origin, possibly related to bully in the old sense of "companion, mate."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for billy
See all rhymes for billy →Frequently asked questions
What does “billy” mean?
The word “billy” means an adult male goat. In plain terms, depending on context: a male goat, a police club, or (Australian/NZ) a camping kettle.
How do you pronounce “billy”?
“Billy” is pronounced BIH-lee (/ˈbɪli/ in IPA).
How do you use “billy” in a sentence?
Here is “billy” used in a sentence: “The billy butted against the fence trying to reach the grass.”
What part of speech is “billy”?
“Billy” is a noun.
Is “billy” a common word?
“Billy” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “billy” have?
“Billy” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an adult male goat.
What is the difference between a "billy" and a "nanny" goat?
A billy is an adult male goat, while a nanny (or nanny goat) is an adult female goat. The full form "billy goat" is often used to make the meaning clear, with "kid" used for the young.
What is a "billy club"?
A billy club is a short, heavy stick or baton carried as a weapon, especially by police officers. In this sense, "billy" and "billy club" refer to the same type of club.
Why is a male goat called a "billy"?
"Billy" is the common informal name for an adult male goat, paired with "nanny" for the female. It works as a familiar animal name rather than a technical zoological term.
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