Definition of Roly-poly

1. Adjective. Short and plump.

Exact synonyms: Dumpy, Podgy, Pudgy, Tubby
Similar to: Fat
Derivative terms: Dumpiness, Pudge, Pudginess, Rolypoliness, Tubbiness

2. Noun. A rotund individual.
Exact synonyms: Butterball, Fat Person, Fatso, Fatty
Generic synonyms: Large Person
Antonyms: Thin Person
Derivative terms: Fatty

3. Noun. Pudding made of suet pastry spread with jam or fruit and rolled up and baked or steamed.

Definition of Roly-poly

1. Adjective. (colloquial often childish or humorous) short and plump ¹

2. Noun. A short, plump person. ¹

3. Noun. (British) A steamed pudding made from suet pastry containing jam or fruit. ¹

4. Noun. In gymnastics, a forward or sideways roll, such as that down a hill. ¹

5. Noun. A pill bug, potato bug or sowbug. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of Roly-poly

rolls over
rolls up
rolltop
rolltop desk
rollunder
rollunders
rollup
rollups
rollway
rollways
rolly-polies
rolly-poly
rolly-pooly
rolly pollies
rolly polly
roly-poly (current term)
roly-poly pudding
rolypoliness
rolziracetam
rom com
rom coms
romage
romages
romaic
romaika
romaikas
romaine
romaine lettuce
romaines
romaja

Literary usage of Roly-poly

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Games, Gaming, and Gamesters' Law by Francis Frederick Brandt (1871)
"By this statute the game of roulet or roly- poly is denounced. ... Roulet or roly-poly is then placed in the same category with lotteries, passage, ..."

2. The Cornhill Magazine by George Smith (1898)
"You will pass him easily if yon are riding a ROLY POLY CYCLE and he is riding anything else. A fair customer writes:—After being unable for many years to ..."

3. Children's Rhymes, Children's Games, Children's Songs, Children's Stories: A by Robert Ford (1904)
"And on the way he met a Rat, With a roly-poly, gammon and spinach, Heigho, ... They gave a loud knock, and they gave a loud call, With a roly-poly, ..."

4. The Nursery (1875)
"roly-poly is three years old, Three years old, and a trifle over : Roly-Poly is round ... Roly-Poly has stars for eyes, A heavenly chin with a dimple in it, ..."

5. Parodies of the Works of English & American Authors by Walter Hamilton (1887)
"... he would an acting go, Heigho ! says Kemble ; He raised the price which he thought too low, Whether the public would let him or no ; With his roly-poly, ..."

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