tenderly

[ten-der-lee]

adverb

1. in a soft and gentle way.

   He took time to polish his new leather shoes tenderly with his handkerchief.

   The wind we hated so much while climbing is now tenderly drying the sweat from our brows.

2. in an affectionate, loving, or kindhearted way.

   He looked down tenderly at his baby daughter.

3. sensitively or carefully, as to avoid pain.

   Moving tenderly, she attempted to raise herself from the floor where she had fallen.

Other Word Forms

• untenderly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of tenderly¹

tender ¹ ( def. ) + -ly

Related Words

• carefully 
• delicately 
• gently 
• gingerly 
• lightly