riley

n. uncountable

C2 Proficiency US //ˈɹaɪɫi// ri·ley

Origin

* From Ryley in Lancashire, from Old English ryge (“rye”) + leah (“clearing, meadow”). Equivalent to rye + -ley (“lea”). * A variant of Reilly, from Irish Ó Raghallaigh (see O'Reilly).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Idioms1 entry

01
life of Riley
An ideal life of carefree prosperity and luxurious contentment.

Last updated May 6, 2026