Words / A1

WEL-eez/ˈweliz/

Wellies are informal British rubber boots for rain and mud. Usually plural: wellies; a pair of wellies. One boot is a welly (or a wellington). A shoe is lower and not usually rubber; a trainer is for sport and is not waterproof like this. Mix-up: well (healthy, or a hole for water) + -ies — not “good boots”; and wellies vs willies (a different informal word — skip).

Meaning

Informal British word for rubber boots that keep your feet dry (plural).

Examples

• “Put your wellies on — it is muddy.”
• “Leave your wellies by the back door.”
• “These wellies are too small for him now.”

Good to know

wellies / a pair of wellies (British, informal). Formal: wellingtons. Contrast: shoe, trainer. Mix-up: well.

Near in meaning

wellingtons

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