dilly
Dilly (noun) means someone or something remarkably good, bad, or unusual — often used a little sarcastically. Example: “That last excuse of his was a real dilly.”
How to use dilly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOld-fashioned slang for something striking or remarkable (can be good or bad), or for someone acting a bit silly.
Dated, informal slang — mostly heard in older or folksy speech today.
Word forms
more dilly comparative, dillier comparative, dillies plural, dillies plural, dillies plural, dillies plural, Dillys plural, most dilly superlative, dilliest superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
That last excuse of his was a real _____.
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.
Rhymes for dilly
See all rhymes for 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.