brolly

English

Etymology

From umbrella, by contraction, +‎ -y (diminutive).

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈbɹɒli/
  • Audio (AU)(file)
  • Audio (Southern England)(file)
  • Rhymes: -ɒli

Noun

brolly (plural brollies)

  1. (British, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, informal) Umbrella.
    It's going to rain today – you'd better take your brolly.
    • 1887, George Bernard Shaw, chapter III, in An Unsocial Socialist‎:
      “The young lady’s hi,” he said suddenly, holding out the umbrella, “is fixed on this here. I am well aware that it is not for the lowest of the low to carry a gentleman’s brolly, and I ask your ladyship’s pardon for the liberty. I come by it accidental-like, and should be glad of a reasonable offer from any gentleman in want of a honest article.”
    • 2010, “Hawaii”, performed by Tom Felton:
      The only brolly that's in sight / Is the mini one that's in my drink / JD, coke and lime / This is how I want to spend my time
    • 2023, A. C. MacDonald, Twistwood Tales (comic), Andrews McMeel, →ISBN, page 116:
      Look! The Gnome Girl believed the letter you sent and brought the magic brolly! […] Now, we just wait for the Wretch to eat her and we can finally grab it!

Derived terms

References
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