noun
Uncommon
sheila
SHEE-luh
Sheila (noun) means Australian and New Zealand slang for a woman. Example: “He turned up to the barbecue with a new sheila on his arm.”
noun
1
Australian and New Zealand slang for a woman.
"He turned up to the barbecue with a new sheila on his arm."
name
1
A female given name of Irish origin.
"He shortened her name to Sheila which, in spite of its primness, she seemed to love. - - - For Susheela - Sheila, as she was now known - this creeping daylight signalled the start, not the end of sleep."
— Helen Walsh, Once Upon a Time in England (2008)
"Sheila has lived in the same village her whole life."
How to use sheila
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIn everyday Australian slang, just means "woman"; also a traditional Irish first name.
When to use it
The slang use is very informal and dated; some now find it a bit old-fashioned or mildly disrespectful.
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Word forms
- Plural
- sheilas
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He turned up to the barbecue with a new _____ on his arm.
Etymology
The slang sense comes from the popularity of "Sheila" as a common Irish immigrant name in 19th-century Australia.
Class of 1800
sheila joined the language around 1800.
See the full Class of 1800 →
Related words
Rhymes for sheila
See all rhymes for sheila →Frequently asked questions
What does “sheila” mean?
The word “sheila” means australian and New Zealand slang for a woman. In plain terms, in everyday Australian slang, just means "woman"; also a traditional Irish first name.
How do you pronounce “sheila”?
“Sheila” is pronounced SHEE-luh (/ˈʃiːlə/ in IPA).
How do you use “sheila” in a sentence?
Here is “sheila” used in a sentence: “He turned up to the barbecue with a new sheila on his arm.”
What part of speech is “sheila”?
Depending on how it is used, “sheila” can be a noun and a name.
Where does the word “sheila” come from?
The word “sheila” dates back to around 1800 and comes from Irish. The slang sense comes from the popularity of "Sheila" as a common Irish immigrant name in 19th-century Australia.
Is “sheila” a common word?
“Sheila” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “sheila” have?
“Sheila” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: australian and New Zealand slang for a woman.
Is "sheila" a formal or informal word for a woman?
"Sheila" is informal slang used mainly in Australian and New Zealand English to refer to a woman. It would sound out of place in formal writing or professional speech.
Is "Sheila" always capitalized?
As a given name, "Sheila" is capitalized like any proper noun. As Australian and New Zealand slang meaning "woman," it is typically written in lowercase, so context and capitalization together signal which sense is meant.
Where is the slang use of "sheila" most common?
The slang sense of "sheila," meaning "woman," is used mainly in Australian and New Zealand English and is not common in American or British English. Outside those countries, "Sheila" is generally understood only as a given name.
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