1. [informal] A stupid incompetent person
   "He's a bit of a nelly, but who in management isn't?";
   - dimwit [informal], nitwit [informal], half-wit [informal], doofus [N. Amer, informal], numpty [UK, informal], yo-yo [N. Amer, informal], noodle [informal], nellie [informal], dingleberry [US, informal], donkey [informal], dufus [N. Amer, informal], simp [N. Amer, informal]
    
2. [offensive] A homosexual man
   "before he came out he'd never been called a nelly";
   - gay man, gay, fagot [N. Amer, informal], faggot [informal], fag [informal], fairy [informal], pansy [informal], queen [informal], poof [informal], pouf [informal]
    
3. [offensive] An effeminate man
   "he's such a nelly";

Derived forms: nellies

Type of: adult male, bozo [N. Amer, informal], cat [N. Amer, informal], chappie [Brit, informal], gay, geezer [Brit, informal], guy [informal], hombre [N. Amer, informal], homophile [archaic], homosexual, man, simple [archaic], simpleton, sod [informal]

Encyclopedia: Nelly, the Bride Without a Husband