Words / A1

WEL-ingt-uh-n/ˈwelɪŋtən/

A wellington is a tall rubber boot for wet or muddy weather (British). Countable: a wellington, wellingtons; a pair of wellingtons. Informal: wellies. A boot can be leather and for fashion or riding; a wellington is rubber and for rain. Mix-up: Wellington as a place or a person's name — here it is a boot; and wellington vs willing (happy to do something) — extra ton vs extra g.

Meaning

A tall rubber boot for wet or muddy weather (British).

Examples

• “One wellington is missing from this pair.”
• “Pull the wellington off with both hands.”
• “I need a new left wellington — this one leaks.”

Good to know

a wellington / wellingtons (British rubber boot). Informal: wellies. Contrast: leather boot. Mix-up: Wellington (place).

Near in meaning

welly, wellies

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