wellington

IPA/ˈwel.ɪŋ.tən/
KK[wˈɛlɪŋtən]IPA/ˈwel.ɪŋ.tən/

wellington — noun

  • wellingtonsingular
  • wellingtonsplural

1. the capital city of New Zealand, located at the southern tip of the North Island

1.nounB1
Definition

the capital city of New Zealand, located at the southern tip of the North Island on the shores of Cook Strait, and the country's main political and cultural centre

Example

Jenna booked a flight to Wellington for her summer holiday.

travel to + [city] for [purpose]

Ziad moved to Wellington last year to study at the university.

move to + [city] + to-infinitive [purpose]

Common collocations
  • visit Wellington
  • live in Wellington
  • fly to Wellington
  • Wellington's harbour
  • Wellington is known for

Grammar Patterns

Wellington + verb

in + Wellington

to + Wellington

Usage Note

Wellington is a proper noun and is always capitalised. It sits at the southern tip of the North Island, not on the South Island — a common geographical mistake.

Common Mistakes

Wellington is on the South Island of New Zealand.
Wellington is at the southern tip of the North Island.
The city lies on Cook Strait, which separates the North and South Islands.

2. a long rubber boot that covers the foot and lower leg, worn to keep the feet dry

2.nounB1
Definition

a long rubber boot that covers the foot and lower leg, worn to keep the feet dry when walking in rain, mud, or wet ground — often used by farmers, gardeners, and people walking in wet conditions

Example

Indra pulled on her green wellingtons before stepping into the garden.

pull on + wellingtons before [activity]

The children wore bright yellow wellingtons to jump in the puddles.

Common collocations
  • green / yellow / red wellingtons
  • a pair of wellingtons
  • wear wellingtons
  • pull on wellingtons
  • take off wellingtons
  • old / muddy wellingtons
Synonyms
  • wellie

    informal British short form, very common in everyday speech

  • rain boot

    American English term for any waterproof boot

  • gumboot

    used in Australian, New Zealand, and South African English

  • rubber boot

    describes the material; common in North America

Grammar Patterns

a pair of wellingtons

wear + wellingtons

pull on + wellingtons

Usage Note

Almost always used in the plural form 'wellingtons' or 'a pair of wellingtons'. In informal British English, the short form 'wellies' is very common ('Don't forget your wellies!'). The singular 'a wellington' is rare but occasionally heard.

Common Mistakes

I wore a wellington to walk the dog.
I wore wellingtons to walk the dog.
The word is almost always plural, like 'trousers' or 'scissors.'

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

All four terms describe waterproof footwear, but they differ by region and register. 'Wellingtons' (or 'Wellington boots') is the full standard term in British English, often shortened to 'wellies' in informal conversation — a farmer might say 'I need my wellies.' In the United States, 'rain boots' is the generic term and is understood everywhere, though it can refer to any height of waterproof boot. 'Gumboots' dominates in Australian, New Zealand, and South African English; an Australian gardener would say 'grab your gumboots' rather than 'wellingtons.' For a Taiwanese learner, 'wellies' is useful for understanding British TV and films, while 'rain boots' is the safest choice if talking to an international audience.

wellingtons ↗wellies ↗rain bootsgumboots

Etymology

English

The word comes from the title of Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington (1769–1852), the British general who defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. The waterproof boot style became fashionable among British soldiers and civilians in the early 1800s and was named after him. The city of Wellington in New Zealand was also named in the Duke's honour when British settlers founded it in the 1840s.

First known use

1816

1816, in the meaning defined above