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• ably
  ably

  adverb

  in an able manner; with skill or ability; competently.
• -ably
  -ably

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

ably

¹ American  

[ay-blee] / ˈeɪ bli /

adverb

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

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-ably ² American  

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

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ably British  

/ ˈeɪblɪ /

adverb

1. in a competent or skilful manner

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Etymology

Origin of ably

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ably -ably

School’s back and so are the Emmys as TV cop Mariska Hargitay ably hosts the 78th annual event from downtown Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 15, 2026

Kazan doesn’t sacrifice much of the character’s darkness, but rather enables Pugh, an actress who ably navigates purity and corruption, to play with both closer to the surface than usual.

From Salon ● Sep. 4, 2026

But El-Sayed ably weaponized these resources against Stevens, making her financial superiority the core of his argument against her.

From Slate ● Aug. 5, 2026

Charlie Dean stood in ably as skipper and the batting fired.

From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2026

Not surprisingly, the Duchess’s grumpiness became legendary, as Voltaire has so ably chronicled.

From "The Princess Bride" by William Goldman

This festival's credo - "Life, liberty and the pursuit of rock!" -ably sums up its mission.

From New York Times ● May 7, 2010

Related Words

• adroitly
• competently