willy-willy

[ wil-ee-wil-ee ]

noun

, Australian,

, plural wil·ly-wil·lies.

1. dust devil ( def ):

   A column of dust, held aloft by a willy-willy, rises high into the air in South Australia.

2. tropical cyclone ( def ):

   another willy-willy forming over the Timor Sea.

willy-willy

/ ˈwɪlɪˈwɪlɪ /

noun

1. a duststorm
2. obsolete.
   a tropical cyclone

Word History and Origins

Origin of willy-willy¹

First recorded in 1890–95; of obscure origin; probably from an Australian Aboriginal language

Word History and Origins

Origin of willy-willy¹

from a native Australian language