Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

golly

/ˈɡɒli/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 2.71 in modern English

Syllables
gol-ly
IPA
/ˈɡɒli/
9
Scrabble Score
5
Letters
2
Syllables
4
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Abbreviation of golliwog:.

Offensive

noun

A galosh.

British usage

verb

To spit; to force up phlegm from one's throat.

Australian usage

noun

Chewing gum.

Slang

noun

Saliva or phlegm.

Slang

Example Sentences

Etymology

Euphemism for God, dating from the 18th century. Possibly a compaction of “God′s body”.

Usage

Inflected Forms

Derived Forms

Phrases

Synonyms

Rhymes With

Questions

How do you pronounce golly?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈɡɒli/.
What does golly mean?
A mild expression of surprise or enthusiasm.
Where does golly come from?
Euphemism for God, dating from the 18th century. Possibly a compaction of “God′s body”.

How to pronounce golly

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “golly”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈɡɒli/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “golly”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “golly” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.