intj
golly
GO-lee
Golly (intj) means a mild, old-fashioned exclamation of surprise or delight. Example: “Golly, I didn't expect to see you here!”
intj
1
A mild, old-fashioned exclamation of surprise or delight.
"“By golly, I don′t see how you done that without seein′ it happen,” exclaimed Slim, looking very dazed and mystified."
— B. M. Bower, Chip of the Flying U (1906)
"Golly! That was a long trip to California."
"Golly, I didn't expect to see you here!"
"Golly, that was a close call."
How to use golly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old-fashioned, polite way of saying "wow" or "gosh" without swearing.
When to use it
Sounds quaint or old-fashioned in modern speech; mostly used for comic or nostalgic effect.
Common pairings
golly gosh
well, golly
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like golly.
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
- gollies
- Third person singular
- gollies
- Past tense
- gollied
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____, I didn't expect to see you here!
Etymology
An 18th-century softened stand-in for "God," likely shortened from an oath like "God's body."
Class of 1700
golly joined the language around 1700.
See the full Class of 1700 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for golly
See all rhymes for golly →Frequently asked questions
What does “golly” mean?
The word “golly” means a mild, old-fashioned exclamation of surprise or delight. In plain terms, an old-fashioned, polite way of saying "wow" or "gosh" without swearing.
How do you pronounce “golly”?
“Golly” is pronounced GO-lee (/ˈɡɒli/ in IPA).
How do you use “golly” in a sentence?
Here is “golly” used in a sentence: “Golly, I didn't expect to see you here!”
What part of speech is “golly”?
“Golly” is an intj.
Where does the word “golly” come from?
The word “golly” dates back to around 1700. An 18th-century softened stand-in for "God," likely shortened from an oath like "God's body.".
