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
1
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 notesIn plain EnglishAn old, rarely-used word for someone's general look or character.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like bly.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- blies
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.
