Meaning

A toy that rights itself when pushed over..

Definitions by Sense

1. A toy that rights itself when pushed over.
2. A short, plump person (especially a child).
3. A forward roll or sideways roll.
4. Synonym of tumbleweed (“any plant which habitually breaks away from its roots once dry, forming a light, rolling mass which is driven by the wind from place to place”); specifically, the prickly Russian thistle (Kali tragus or Salsola tragus).
5. A baked or steamed pudding made from suet pastry which is spread with fruit or jam (or occasionally other fillings) and then rolled up.
6. In full roly-poly bug: a small terrestrial invertebrate which tends to roll into a ball when disturbed, such as a woodlouse (suborder Oniscidea, especially a pill bug (family Armadillidiidae) or a sowbug (family Porcellionidae)) or a pill millipede (superorder Oniscomorpha).
7. A mischievous or worthless person; a scoundrel, a rascal.
8. (uncountable, historical) An activity or game involving rolling.

Example Sentences

BOBO The Roly Poly Clown / Punch him—beat him—tackle him—Bobo will bounce right back with a smile!

Among the many adaptations of the Japanese tumbler toy are those known to American children as a roly-poly and a Kelly.

Though most often made of plastic, roly-poly tumble toys were commonly found in mid-century toy boxes.

The Germans have a great idea that you must "stärken (strengthen)" yourself. So they eat every few hours. […] The German women are plump roly-polies, as a general rule, and it is probably in consequence of this continual "strengthening."

In a few weeks 'our baby' was a regular roly-poly, fat and frolicsome. Has she forgotten all the neglect? God grant it.

When you are finished with circle time, dismiss your children by helping each one do a roly-poly roll (a somersault) and roll away to their next activity.

Children of this age can rarely complete a forward roll or somersault properly. […] A ‘roly poly’ roll or a tucked sideways roll will give the children just as much pleasure and also enough exercise and knowlege of turning and rolling at this stage of their development.

[page 135] "Fanny has made the roly-poly pudding," says he; "the chops are my part. Here's a fine one; try this, Goldmore." […] [page 137] The three mutton-chops consumed by him were best of the mutton kind; the potatoes were perfect of their order; as for the roly-poly, it was too good.

Word Forms

• roly-polys
• roly-polies
• rolly polly
• rolly-poly
• rolly-pooly
• more roly-poly
• most roly-poly

Synonyms for roly-poly

Antonyms for roly-poly

Related Words

When Should You Use Roly-poly?

Use roly-poly when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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