English · Slang Attested

Ned Kelly

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Sense 1

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

A figure or person akin to the iconic Australian bushranger Ned Kelly, typically denoting someone with audacious recklessness or morally questionable business dealings, or who opposes or defies authority.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Người có tính cách liều lĩnh, đáng ngờ về mặt đạo đức

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Where it’s used: Used Australian English

Examples

It [sc. smoking] will have the joy of the excitement, and the uncertainty of bushranging with a suggestion of Ned Kelly about it — and every boy is at heart a Ned Kelly.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

An instance of behaviour that exemplifies such characteristics.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Hành vi thể hiện tính cách đó

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

A figure or person who, like Ned Kelly, shows great bravery, daring, tenacity, or ferocity.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Người có lòng dũng cảm, can đảm, kiên trì

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “Ned Kelly” mean?

Is “Ned Kelly” formal or informal?

Ned Kelly is generally slang.