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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

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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

Deborah Nansteel doubling as the Omniscient Seashell and one of Aithra’s servants, and Catherine Creed as the other servant, ably filled out the cast.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

By contrast, Kane has been ably supported by Jude Bellingham, a fellow world-class operator who has scored four goals at this tournament, including vital strikes against Panama and Mexico.

From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026

Girls from Central are here as well; reliable Helen has ably taken over the kitchen, washing guests’ teacups as soon as they dirty.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

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

From New York Times ● May 7, 2010

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Related Words

• adroitly
• competently

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