ably

¹

[ey-blee]

adverb

1. in an able manner; with skill or ability; competently.

-ably

²

1. a suffix combining -able and -ly that forms adverbs corresponding to adjectives ending in -able: commendably; dependably; tolerably .

ably

/ ˈeɪblɪ /

adverb

1. in a competent or skilful manner

Word History and Origins

Origin of ably¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, ably is from the Middle English word abelli. See able, -ly

Example Sentences

Starc took 3-24 off eight overs as he ably shouldered the extra burden of an attack missing injured long-time partners Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.

Read more on Barron's

Up front Joe Heyes, ably assisted by Fin Baxter, was superb at scrum-time and bitingly sharp in defence.

Read more on BBC

Happy to live out the rest of his days in his remote paradise alongside his loyal dog Birba, who ably assists him in his truffle hunts, Igor is displeased that Dalia has rejected her family roots for the big city.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He ably navigates contentious personalities, shifting alliances and tense rivalries among men and women who, although they shared views about slavery, tussled over conventional politics, communitarian living, marriage and pacifism between the 1820s and the Civil War.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It was joyful and humbling when my interviews and research ultimately became part of the record in a unanimous Supreme Court decision that vindicated the tribe’s position, defended ably by both their attorneys and lawyers from Justice.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• adroitly 
• competently