nounPlural keelies ˈkiːli
Northern English, Scottish A disreputable inhabitant of a town or city, especially one from Glasgow.
Example sentencesExamples
- Where I live is okay - if I could just get rid of all the keelies it would be even better.
- There has been much interest recently in the Scots’ language Gaelic, once the preserve of the teuchters in the highlands but now increasingly popular among the keelies in the lowlands.
- You're a Keelie aren't you?
Synonyms
thug, roughneck, scoundrel, villain, rogue, rascal, lout, hooligan, hoodlum, vandal, delinquent, rowdy, bully boy, bully, brute
Origin
Early 19th century: perhaps related to gillie.
nounPlural keeliesˈkiːli
Northern English, Scottish A small hawk or falcon, such as the sparrowhawk or kestrel.
Origin
Early 19th century: perhaps imitative of its call.