gingerly
Americanadverb
adjective
adverb
adjective
Other Word Forms
- gingerliness noun
Etymology
Origin of gingerly
First recorded in 1510–20; ginger-, perhaps from Middle French gensor, genzor “delicate, pretty” (positive use of comparative of gent “high-born, noble,” also “beautiful, shapely,” from Latin genitus “begotten”; genital ) + -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.
Very gingerly, Owen pulled his friend’s torn ski mask off his head.
From Literature
“Come along, Nell,” Aunt Kitty finally said, gingerly turning herself around on her sore knee.
From Literature
Near the middle of the fourth quarter, he lost a fumble and got hit so hard he lay on the ground for several moments before teammates gingerly helped him to his feet.
From Los Angeles Times
A few days into the first leg, Mr. Tesson’s party gingerly navigated a ridge at risk of avalanche, “tiptoeing over Fabergé eggshells.”
He immediately signaled toward the bench for a sub and walked gingerly back to the sideline while grabbing toward his right knee.
From Los Angeles Times
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.
