dilly

[ dil-ee ]

noun

, Informal.

, plural dil·lies.

1. something or someone regarded as remarkable, unusual, etc.:

   a dilly of a movie.

dilly

¹

/ ˈdɪlɪ /

adjective

1. slang.
   silly

dilly

²

/ ˈdɪlɪ /

noun

1. slang.
   a person or thing that is remarkable

Word History and Origins

Origin of dilly¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1905–10; it was at first an adjective: “wonderful,” apparently a shortening of delicious, with -y ¹ (now taken as -y ² )

Word History and Origins

Origin of dilly¹

C20: perhaps from silly

Origin of dilly²

C20: perhaps from girl's proper name Dilly

Example Sentences

After showing promise, she was plucked out and sent to Bletchley to work in the research unit run by Dilly Knox.

From The Daily Beast

After all, flu dilly-dallied last season, barely making a peep.

From The Daily Beast

Why dilly-dally with teenage angst when you can bring on the Giant Robots, that was my motto.

From The Daily Beast

When we entered Mr. Dilly's drawing room, he found himself in the midst of a company he did not know.

From Project Gutenberg

Here we are frightened at names, dilly-dallying and quarreling over idle words, when a tremendous crisis calls for acts.

From Project Gutenberg

But its no use dilly-dallying, and Shultz may as well understand it.

From Project Gutenberg

And your dad will be angry because you dilly-dallied so long.

From Project Gutenberg

Fer if ther is, Dilly Quinn an Bess are angels, sure as sure.

From Project Gutenberg