duly
Americanadverb
-
in a proper or fitting manner
-
at the proper time; punctually
Etymology
Origin of duly
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English duelich(e); see due, -ly
Explanation
When you put in a lot of overtime hours at your job, you assume you'll be duly paid. Duly means "properly" or "appropriately." When something is done duly, it's expected, and it's considered proper or right. If someone gives a great speech, you expect that he'll be duly applauded for it. The word due is at the root of duly, and it comes from the Old French word deu, or "to owe." Something that is duly given can also be said to be owed. Be careful not to confuse duly, which rhymes with the name "Julie," with dully, "without liveliness."
Vocabulary lists containing duly
Animal Farm
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"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson
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13th Amendment (1865)
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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.
After an hour-long search, documents did emerge from beneath the silt -- but they belonged to a neighbour and were duly returned.
From Barron's ● Aug. 30, 2026
Both times Scheffler trailed going into round four and duly reeled in the leader, only to fall short on the extra hole.
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
That’s when England needed someone to bail them out—and Bellingham duly obliged.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 2026
The Boks duly restored rugby's new world order after the break.
From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026
Exception 1.—When the final e is preceded by a vowel, it is sometimes omitted; as, due + ly = duly; true + ly = truly; whole + ly = wholly.
From New Word-Analysis by William Swinton
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
