noun
Common
sally
SA-lee
Sally (noun) means a sudden dash out from a defended position to attack, or a similar sudden burst of activity. Example: “A sudden sally from the fort took the besiegers completely by surprise.”
noun
1
A sudden dash out from a defended position to attack, or a similar sudden burst of activity.
"A sudden sally from the fort took the besiegers completely by surprise."
"The guards made a quick sally to chase off the raiders, then retreated."
"The defenders made a daring sally against the besieging army under cover of darkness."
2
A short trip or excursion, or a witty, sharp remark made in conversation.
"She answered every question with a sharp sally that made the audience laugh."
"She made an occasional sally into the art world, but painting was never her main career."
"His sallies of wit kept the whole dinner table laughing."
verb
1
To set out suddenly, especially to venture forth from a safe place.
"Every morning the children sallied out of the house to play."
"When the rain stopped, we sallied forth to explore the village."
"The troops sallied forth at dawn to catch the enemy off guard."
How to use sally
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo dash out suddenly, or a short outing or clever remark, depending on context.
Common mistake
Often used in the fixed phrase "sally forth" — don't confuse it with the given name Sally.
Common pairings
sally forth
a witty sally
a sally against the enemy
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Word forms
- Plural
- sallies
- Third person singular
- sallies
- Past tense
- sallied
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A sudden _____ from the fort took the besiegers completely by surprise.
Etymology
From Old French saillir, "to leap out," from Latin salire, "to jump."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for sally
See all rhymes for sally →Frequently asked questions
What does “sally” mean?
The word “sally” means a sudden dash out from a defended position to attack, or a similar sudden burst of activity. In plain terms, to dash out suddenly, or a short outing or clever remark, depending on context.
How do you pronounce “sally”?
“Sally” is pronounced SA-lee (/ˈsæli/ in IPA).
How do you use “sally” in a sentence?
Here is “sally” used in a sentence: “The defenders made a daring sally against the besieging army under cover of darkness.”
What part of speech is “sally”?
Depending on how it is used, “sally” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “sally” come from?
The word “sally” comes from Latin. From Old French saillir, "to leap out," from Latin salire, "to jump.".
Is “sally” a common word?
“Sally” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “sally” have?
“Sally” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sudden dash out from a defended position to attack, or a similar sudden burst of activity.
What is the difference between "sally" and "sortie"?
Both describe a sudden dash out from a defended position to attack, and in military use they overlap closely. "Sally" is the older, more general English word and can also mean a short excursion or a witty remark, while "sortie" is used more narrowly for a military operation, including modern aircraft missions.
Is "sally" meaning a witty remark formal or informal?
Used to mean a sharp, witty remark in conversation, "sally" is fairly literary and more common in writing than in everyday speech. In casual conversation, people are more likely to say "quip," "wisecrack," or "comeback."
