Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Used as an intensifier, often to express annoyance or emphasis: "Bally" is an informal, dated, and mild British expletive used to add force to a statement, typically conveying irritation, surprise, or strong feeling. It is considered a euphemistic substitute for stronger swear words.

2. Adverb:

   • Used for emphasis before an adjective: "Bally" can function as an intensifying adverb, meaning "very" or "extremely," often with a tone of exasperation.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • It's a bally nuisance that the train is late again.
  • He's a bally fool for trying that.
• Adverb:
  • It was bally difficult to find the place in the dark.
  • I'm too bally tired to go out tonight.

Advanced Usage

• As a euphemism: Historically used in British English to avoid stronger language like "bloody" in polite or mixed company, though now it is considered old-fashioned.
  • Of all the bally cheek! (Expressing indignation at someone's audacity.)

Variants and Related Words

• Blinking (adj/adv, informal): A similar dated British intensifier (e.g., ).
• Flaming (adj/adv, informal): Another intensifier, slightly stronger (e.g., ).
• Bloody (adj/adv, informal, chiefly Brit): A more common and stronger intensifier from which "bally" is often derived as a softened alternative.

Synonyms

• Confounded (adj, dated): Used to express annoyance (e.g., ).
• Ruddy (adj/adv, Brit., informal): A mild intensifier (e.g., ).
• Deuced (adj/adv, archaic): An old-fashioned intensifier (e.g., ).

Related Phrases and Idioms

• The bally thing: Used to refer to something annoying without naming it directly.
  • Just pass me the bally thing, will you?
• Of all the bally...: An exclamation of frustration.
  • Of all the bally luck!

Adjective

1. informal intensifiers
   • what a bally (or blinking) nuisance
   • a bloody fool
   • a crashing bore
   • you flaming idiot