Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Kilroy

noun
Kil·​roy | \ ˈkilˌrȯi\
plural -s

Definition of Kilroy

: an inveterate traveler like the roamers Kilroy and Ulysses— Peter Viereck especially : a transient soldier of all the Kilroys of history who have passed through here … it was Napoleon who best summed up the strategic importance of Malta — J. P. O'Donnell

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for Kilroy

after Kilroy, mythical soldier of World War II whose name was inscribed in unlikely places all over the world by American soldiers

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about Kilroy

Dictionary Entries near Kilroy

kilowatt

kilowatt-hour

kilp

Kilroy

kilt

kilter

kiltie

Statistics for Kilroy

Look-up Popularity

Comments on Kilroy

What made you want to look up Kilroy? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

decoct

Listen to the pronounciation of decoct

to boil down or concentrate

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Original Meanings Quiz

  • rembrandt-painting-a-young-scholar-and-his-tutor
  • Which of the following is the earliest known sense of the word awe?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games