Scotland · adjective

peely-wally

Pale, washed-out, weak-looking, or unwell in appearance.

Reviewed entryScotland usageEditorial method

Uses your device’s built-in voice. Pronunciation is approximate because available voices and Scottish accents vary.

What peely-wally means

Peely-wally describes someone who looks unusually pale, faint, tired, or lacking healthy colour.

It is often used when someone appears ill, exhausted, shocked, or deprived of sunlight.

Each example is followed by its intended plain-English meaning.

You’re looking a bit peely-wally today.

You look pale or unwell today.

After the journey he looked peely-wally.

After the journey he looked washed-out and tired.

It comments on appearance and should not be treated as a medical diagnosis.

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