-ly
a suffix forming adverbs from adjectives: gladly; gradually; secondly.See Grammar note at adverb.
a suffix meaning “every,” attached to certain nouns denoting units of time: hourly; daily.
an adjective suffix meaning “-like”: saintly; cowardly.
QUIZZES
DISCOVER THE INFLUENCE OF PORTUGUESE ON ENGLISH VIA THIS QUIZ!
We’ve gathered some interesting words donated to English from Portuguese … as well as some that just don’t translate at all. Do you know what they mean?
Question 1 of 11
Which of the following animal names traces its immediate origin to Portuguese?
Origin of -ly
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”; see origin at like1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
British Dictionary definitions for -ly (1 of 3)
ly
the internet domain name for
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
British Dictionary definitions for -ly (2 of 3)
-ly1
suffix forming adjectives
having the nature or qualities ofbrotherly; godly
occurring at certain intervals; everydaily; yearly
Word Origin for -ly
Old English -lic
British Dictionary definitions for -ly (3 of 3)
-ly2
suffix forming adverbs
in a certain manner; to a certain degreequickly; recently; chiefly
Word Origin for -ly
Old English -lice, from -lic -ly 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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