Lolly is a casual English word that mainly means “lollipop” or “candy on a stick,” but in the UK and Australia it’s also used more broadly for any sweet candy or confection. In slang, lolly can mean money—especially small amounts of cash.
In everyday life you’ll hear kids ask, “Can I have a lolly?” when they want a sugary treat, or friends say, “I need a few extra lollies for the vending machine.” Adults might joke, “I’m a bit short on lolly this week,” to mean they’re low on spending money.
Meaning & Usage Examples
• Treat: “She bought a strawberry lolly at the corner shop.”
• Candy in general (UK/AU): “We shared a bag of fruity lollies during the movie.”
• Money (slang): “He paid me back the lolly he borrowed yesterday.”
Context / Common Use
The candy sense is everyday language in Britain, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. The “money” sense shows up in informal chats, often with a playful tone. North Americans usually say “lollipop” or “candy,” so lolly sounds distinctly British or Aussie to them.
Is “lolly” the same as “lollipop” everywhere?
In the UK and Australia, lolly can mean any candy, not just a lollipop. In the US and Canada, lolly almost always means the stick candy only.
Can “lolly” mean cash in formal writing?
No, the money meaning is slang and should be avoided in business or academic writing.
Leave a Reply