Definition of marley in English:
marley
(also marlie)
nounPlural marlies, Plural marleys ˈmɑːli
Northern Irish informal 1A small ball of coloured glass or similar material used as a toy; a marble.
your knuckles are skinned from shooting marleys
Example sentencesExamples
- When my mother forced me and my brother to wash the dishes or vacuum our room, we managed to break a dish or two and suck marlies up the cleaner.
- Marlie season was most popular in the summertime but extended all year long.
- Take the marlies out of yer mouth and give us all a game.
- There are no cheap options of 'marlies' or 'conkers'; today it is all games consoles and music players!
- 1.1marleys" or "marliestreated as singular A game in which marbles are rolled along the ground with the aim of hitting those of one's opponent.
she had a flair for marleys
Example sentencesExamples
- Spitting, marleys, fights, and rolling down hills are the ingredients that make up the lives of these two accidental friends from different parts of town.
- The rules and regulations of marleys, for instance, were fairly simple.
- We gathered on a dusty patch in front of the playing fields for a game of marlies.
- They just can't help spending our money on receptions for anything from the synchronised swimming team to the world-acclaimed left-handed marlies champions.
Phrases
informal One is foolish or stupid.
I love you but your head's a marley
Example sentencesExamples
- "Our teacher's head's a marley; he's put George in for the eleven-plus."
- You want me to stay here? Your head's a marley.
- "Catch yourself on, wee girl. Your head's a marley."
- Your head's a marley; I could climb it, no bother.
- "Tony, your head's a marley. Just for once, do the right thing."
Origin
Late 19th century: from dialect marl contraction of marble + -y2.