noun
Common
Kelly
KEH-lee
Kelly (noun) means a common given name and surname of Irish origin, used for both men and women. Example: “Kelly grew up in a large Irish-American family.”
noun
1
A common given name and surname of Irish origin, used for both men and women.
"Kelly grew up in a large Irish-American family."
2
A bright medium shade of green, also called Kelly green.
"The team's jerseys were a bold kelly green."
3
A heavy square or hexagonal pipe used to rotate the drill on an oil rig.
"The rig crew inspected the kelly before starting the next run."
How to use Kelly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA common Irish name, a shade of green, or an oil-rig drilling pipe.
Common pairings
Kelly green
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Word forms
- Plural
- Kellies, Kellys
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ grew up in a large Irish-American family.
Etymology
The name comes from the Irish surname "Ó Ceallaigh." The color and drilling-pipe senses developed later as specialized uses of the name.
Rhymes for Kelly
See all rhymes for Kelly →Frequently asked questions
What does “Kelly” mean?
The word “Kelly” means a common given name and surname of Irish origin, used for both men and women. In plain terms, a common Irish name, a shade of green, or an oil-rig drilling pipe.
How do you pronounce “Kelly”?
“Kelly” is pronounced KEH-lee (/ˈkɛli/ in IPA).
How do you use “Kelly” in a sentence?
Here is “Kelly” used in a sentence: “Kelly grew up in a large Irish-American family.”
What part of speech is “Kelly”?
“Kelly” is a noun.
Where does the word “Kelly” come from?
The word “Kelly” comes from Irish. The name comes from the Irish surname "Ó Ceallaigh." The color and drilling-pipe senses developed later as specialized uses of the name.
Is “Kelly” a common word?
“Kelly” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Kelly” have?
“Kelly” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a common given name and surname of Irish origin, used for both men and women.
What does the name Kelly mean?
Kelly comes from the Irish surname Ó Ceallaigh, meaning 'descendant of Ceallach.' The old personal name Ceallach is usually interpreted as 'bright-headed' or, in another reading, linked to strife or war. It is one of the most common surnames in Ireland and has long been used as a first name too.
What is Kelly green?
Kelly green is a bright, pure green, sitting between emerald and lime. It takes its name from the surname Kelly because of the name's strong association with Ireland, which is famously known as the Emerald Isle. The colour is often used to signal Irishness, especially around St Patrick's Day.
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