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gainly

[geyn-lee]
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adjective
  1. graceful; comely; handsome.

Origin of gainly

First recorded in 1850–55; probably back formation from ungainly
Related formsgain·li·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for gainly

Historical Examples

  • Jewel of beauty surpassing, passing before me,Gainly of gait as olifant-king.

    Vidyapati Bangiya Padabali

    Vidyapati Thakura

  • He wanted quite desperately to love something staid and feminine and gainly and well bred, whatever its age!

    The Martian

    George Du Maurier

British Dictionary definitions for gainly

gainly

adjective
  1. graceful or well-formed; shapely
adverb
  1. conveniently or suitably
Derived Formsgainliness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012