rightly
Americanadverb
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in accordance with truth or fact; correctly.
to see rightly; to understand rightly.
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in accordance with morality or equity; uprightly.
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properly, fitly, or suitably.
to be rightly dressed.
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Informal. with certainty; positively.
I can't rightly say.
adverb
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in accordance with the facts; correctly
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in accordance with principles of justice or morality
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with good reason; justifiably
he was rightly annoyed with her
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properly or suitably; appropriately
rightly dressed for a wedding
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informal (used with a negative) with certainty; positively or precisely (usually in the phrases I don't rightly know, I can't rightly say )
Etymology
Origin of rightly
before 900; Middle English; Old English rihtlīce. See right, -ly
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She too had found the video "heartbreaking", saying "it is, without question, a disturbing and tragic thing to see. People are rightly asking questions about how the situation was handled".
From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026
That’s rightly going to be the focal point of Talarico’s campaign.
From Slate • May 30, 2026
Insurance on the open market is, as you rightly point out, significantly more expensive than employer-sponsored coverage, and ACA premiums can be volatile.
From MarketWatch • May 30, 2026
“This is what happens when you take the lead in polls,” he rightly noted.
From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026
But as you rightly point out, it's rather gratifying to have consorted with him.
From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
