noun
Uncommon
Harley
HAHR-lee
Harley (noun) means informal shorthand for a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Example: “He saved for years to buy a secondhand Harley.”
noun
1
Informal shorthand for a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
"I was blown away by how much the 800 looks like a Harley. My Harley riding friends always do a double take when they see a picture of it. I personally like the Harleyesque looks and have owned a Vulcan 1500."
— Peter Harper, Honda shadow vt1100 Ace (1995)
"He saved for years to buy a secondhand Harley."
"The bikers rolled into town on a dozen gleaming Harleys."
How to use Harley
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA casual, brand-name way of saying "motorcycle" — specifically a Harley-Davidson.
Common pairings
ride a Harley
a vintage Harley
Harley riders
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Word forms
- Plural
- Harleys
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He saved for years to buy a secondhand _____.
Etymology
Short for Harley-Davidson, the American motorcycle maker founded in 1903 by William S. Harley and the Davidson brothers; the surname itself traces to an Old English place name meaning roughly "hare wood" or "rock clearing."
Class of 1903
Harley joined the language around 1903.
See the full Class of 1903 →
Rhymes for Harley
See all rhymes for Harley →Frequently asked questions
What does “Harley” mean?
The word “Harley” means informal shorthand for a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. In plain terms, a casual, brand-name way of saying "motorcycle" — specifically a Harley-Davidson.
How do you pronounce “Harley”?
“Harley” is pronounced HAHR-lee (/ˈhɑɹli/ in IPA).
How do you use “Harley” in a sentence?
Here is “Harley” used in a sentence: “He saved for years to buy a secondhand Harley.”
What part of speech is “Harley”?
“Harley” is a noun.
Where does the word “Harley” come from?
The word “Harley” dates back to around 1903 and comes from Old English.
Is “Harley” a common word?
“Harley” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What does Harley mean informally?
Informally, "Harley" is shorthand for a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, the well-known American motorcycle brand. People use it casually, as in "he rides a Harley," without needing to say the full brand name.
Is Harley a brand name or a general word for motorcycle?
Harley refers specifically to Harley-Davidson motorcycles rather than motorcycles in general. Using it to mean any motorcycle would be inaccurate, since it is tied to that particular manufacturer.
