noun

bly

bleye

Bly (noun) means a person's look, appearance, or general character (a rare, mostly dialectal word). Example: “There was a rough bly to the old fisherman that hinted at years at sea.”

noun

A person's look, appearance, or general character (a rare, mostly dialectal word).

"There was a rough bly to the old fisherman that hinted at years at sea."

How to use bly

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn old, rarely-used word for someone's general look or character.

Word forms

blies plural, Blys plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

There was a rough _____ to the old fisherman that hinted at years at sea.

Etymology

Probably a dialect form of blee, an old word for "complexion" or "appearance."

Frequently asked questions

What does “bly” mean?

The word “bly” means a person's look, appearance, or general character (a rare, mostly dialectal word). In plain terms, an old, rarely-used word for someone's general look or character.

How do you pronounce “bly”?

“Bly” is pronounced bleye (/blaɪ/ in IPA).

How do you use “bly” in a sentence?

Here is “bly” used in a sentence: “There was a rough bly to the old fisherman that hinted at years at sea.”

What part of speech is “bly”?

“Bly” is a noun.