noun
Uncommon
Wally
WO-lee
Wally (noun) means (British, informal) A foolish or incompetent person. Example: “Don't be such a wally — you left the keys in the door again.”
noun
1
(British, informal) A foolish or incompetent person.
"Don't be such a wally — you left the keys in the door again."
2
A large pickled gherkin, often sold with fish and chips.
"He ordered a wally on the side with his chips."
How to use Wally
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA mild British put-down for someone who's done something silly — or, separately, a big pickled cucumber served as a snack.
When to use it
Informal and mostly British; used affectionately more often than as a genuine insult.
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Word forms
- Plural
- wallies
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Don't be such a _____ — you left the keys in the door again.
Rhymes for Wally
See all rhymes for Wally →Frequently asked questions
What does “Wally” mean?
The word “Wally” means (British, informal) A foolish or incompetent person. In plain terms, a mild British put-down for someone who's done something silly — or, separately, a big pickled cucumber served as a snack.
How do you pronounce “Wally”?
“Wally” is pronounced WO-lee (/ˈwɒli/ in IPA).
How do you use “Wally” in a sentence?
Here is “Wally” used in a sentence: “Don't be such a wally — you left the keys in the door again.”
What part of speech is “Wally”?
“Wally” is a noun.
Is “Wally” a common word?
“Wally” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Wally” have?
“Wally” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: (British, informal) A foolish or incompetent person.
