-ly
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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.
Content related to -ly
Everything You Need To Know About Prefixes And SuffixesPrefixes and suffixes are super useful for customizing the meanings of words, but what are they? A prefix is a group of letters (or an affix) that’s added to the beginning of a word, and a suffix is an affix that’s added to the end of a word. Prefixes modify the meaning of a word. They can make a word negative, show repetition, or indicate …
How To Find AdverbsWhat does an adverb do? An adverb is “a word that modifies or describes verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.” Adverbs typically answer questions like how or when in relation to the action of a sentence. Many common adverbs end in -ly, like quickly, usually, and completely, but not all adverbs do, such as very, now, here, and sometimes. How do adverbs modify verbs? As their name implies, adverbs describe or modify verbs. A verb is the action word …
Origin of -ly
(adv.) Middle English -li, -lich(e), Old English -līce (-līc adj. suffix + -e adv. suffix); (adj.) Middle English -li, -ly, -lich(e), Old English -līc (cognate with German -lich), suffixal use of gelīc like1
SYNONYMS FOR -ly
3 See -ish1.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for -ly (1 of 2)
-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 (2 of 2)
-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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