Advertisement

Advertisement

-ly

  1. a suffix forming adverbs from adjectives: gladly; gradually; secondly. adverb
  2. a suffix meaning “every,” attached to certain nouns denoting units of time: hourly; daily.
  3. an adjective suffix meaning “-like”: saintly; cowardly.


-ly

1

suffix forming adverbs

  1. in a certain manner; to a certain degree

    quickly

    recently

    chiefly



ly

2

the internet domain name for

  1. Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

-ly

3

suffix forming adjectives

  1. having the nature or qualities of

    brotherly

    godly

  2. occurring at certain intervals; every

    yearly

    daily

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of -ly1

Middle English adverb -li, -lich(e), Old English -līce ( -līc adjective suffix + -e adverb suffix); Middle English adjective -li, -ly, -lich(e), Old English -līc (cognate with German -lich ), suffixal use of gelīc “similar to, like”; like 1

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of -ly1

Old English -lice, from -lic -ly 1

Origin of -ly2

Old English -lic

Discover More

Example Sentences

The economy boomed rapid[ly], so my life was getting better and better all the time.

Fortunately, and oh so Nora-ly, she planned her own memorial service before she went.

But my faver says it's un-man-ly to be always kissing, and I did n't fink you'd do vat, Coppy.

To liggen, to lie, is a Northern form; I alter liggen to ly, which occurs in the next line.

"Prob'ly some old scissor bills that got a notion of hangin' on to their land," Scattergood said.

I'd everlastin'ly seva' th' connections between that gentleman an' these here Ozarks.

Ef he done kilt dat woman, de white folks goin' to git him sho'ly—sho'ly.

Advertisement

Word of the Day

gallimaufry

[gal-uh-maw-free ]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


LXXLyallpur