ably
adverb
ably
1 American
[ey-blee]
/ ˈeɪ bli /
adverb
-ably
2
American
ably
British
/ ˈeɪblɪ /
adverb
Etymology
Origin of ably
First recorded in 1350–1400, ably is from the Middle English word abelli. See able, -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.
See Examples For:
Kazan doesn’t sacrifice much of the character’s darkness, but rather enables Pugh, an actress who ably navigates purity and corruption, to play with both closer to the surface than usual.
From Salon ● Sep. 4, 2026
But El-Sayed ably weaponized these resources against Stevens, making her financial superiority the core of his argument against her.
From Slate ● Aug. 5, 2026
By contrast, Kane has been ably supported by Jude Bellingham, a fellow world-class operator who has scored four goals at this tournament, including vital strikes against Panama and Mexico.
From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026
If only Freidenberg could have foreseen that, in a distant continent three-quarters of a century later, another literary scholar, like herself, would so ably bring these moving and brilliant notes to light.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 24, 2026
She was ably defended by George Bizos, who attempted to demonstrate that Winnie had no involvement with either the kidnappings or the beatings.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
This festival's credo - "Life, liberty and the pursuit of rock!" -ably sums up its mission.
From New York Times ● May 7, 2010
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.
