nelly
13
9.9
- noun
- /ˈnɛli/
- Offensive
- Well, speak for yourself, Negative Nelly, 'cause I think I've worked out exactly what we need to do.
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Watch on YouTubeAnd I'm such a nervous Nelly as it is.
- And I'm such a nervous Nelly as it is.
- I'm just saying, bro, like you played on her being like nervous Nelly.
Examples
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I may be nelly, Michael, but I'm no coward.
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We got a Nervous Nelly here.
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And I'm such a nervous Nelly as it is.
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-I don't wanna be a negative Nelly, but that is a tough pic, guys.
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And Chay's a nervous Nelly, but she's super excited.
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Don't be such a nelly; it's just a little thunderstorm outside.
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He often acts like a nelly whenever things don't go his way.
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She called him a nelly for backing out of the challenge at the last minute.
Synonyms
301
8.4
A person who is easily frightened and not brave
9
7.5
A person who is small or weak and not taken seriously, often in a teasing way
8
9.9
A person who seems too afraid to do things others do
4
9.9
A man or boy who seems weak and afraid to act
1
9.9
An insulting word for someone who is weak or too afraid to act
Antonyms
Idioms
Compounds
Surface Forms
Etymology
Nelly comes from the girl's name Nellie, which people began using as an insult for a man who seemed weak or too sensitive, much like calling someone a 'sissy'. So calling someone a nelly today says you think they are cowardly or not brave.