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Lordy. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
Lordy, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
Lordy in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
Lordy you have here. The definition of the word
Lordy will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
Lordy, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
From Lord + -y. Nineteenth century, originally U.S.
Interjection
Lordy
- Expressing mild emotion, such as exasperation or frustration.
Lordy! Where's he off to now?
1889 July 11, Herbert Tidd Bradley, “Fo' He am de Lord of de blue and de gray”, in America: A Journal for Americans, volume 2, page 453:Aunt Betty graciously permitted this. She always did; but if the forgetful old man wandered for a moment away from his theme she brought him back with a surreptitious: “Lordy! yo' ole head done filled wid me yit."
2011 July 18, John Cassidy, quoting James Comey, “Mastering the Machine”, in The New Yorker, →ISSN:“I said, ‘Lordy, we have to put tops on bottoms. Let’s get something done,’ ” Comey recalled.
- Expressing strong emotion, such as amazement.
1863 March, “A horrible scrape”, in The Southern Literary Messenger, volume 37, page 172:Lordy! Call your dogs off, call your dogs off! Oh! Lordy! call em off quick! quick!
2008 September 14, Craig McLean, “Rock review: AC/DC, Rock 'n' Roll Train”, in The Observer:It can only be AC/DC: black black black! with the first single from their first new album in eight years, Black Ice. It's blues-metal heaviosity in exelcis. Not clever but, oh lordy, it's big.
Usage notes
Often used in a combination like “Oh Lordy”, “Oh Lordy Lord” or even repeated “Oh Lordy, Lordy Lord”.
Synonyms
Further reading
- “Lordy”, in Collins English Dictionary.
- “Lordy, exc.”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.
- “Lordy”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.
- “Lordy”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.
- “Lordy” in TheFreeDictionary.com, Huntingdon Valley, Pa.: Farlex, Inc., 2003–2024.