noun
Kelly
KEH-lee
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
Word Forms
Kellies plural, Kellys plural, kellies plural
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_____ 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.