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.
The show duly discusses Statian women, notes that not all colonial-era Jews were Patriots, and reveals that, as of 1781, Jews on St. Eustatius held 86 enslaved Africans as property.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026
Contrary to the crusty, chaotic libertinism of their shows, the band is disarmingly sweet and funny in person despite being duly crude.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026
Strikingly, Jackson suggested that legislative history may often shed better light on the original meaning of a statute than does its duly enacted text.
From Slate • Mar. 4, 2026
"Information regarding alleged violations and crimes is duly investigated," it added.
From BBC • Feb. 24, 2026
Family purchasing committees, duly elected, bought the food, clothes, furniture, and athletic equipment.
From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
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.
