gainly

[geyn-lee]

adjective

1. graceful; comely; handsome.

gainly

/ ˈɡeɪnlɪ /

adjective

1. graceful or well-formed; shapely

adverb

1. conveniently or suitably

Other Word Forms

• gainliness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of gainly¹

First recorded in 1850–55; probably back formation from ungainly

Example Sentences

"Learned pigs," however, such as are exhibited at country fairs, are a rare occurrence, and the family to which they belong is essentially one "gross" in character, and far from gainly in appearance.

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In our admiration we entirely separate these qualities from that least gainly and least wholesome of the forms of Christian piety with which they are here found connected.

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I did not fashion the man," said Faith, biting her lip, and tossing her head; "nor is it aught to me whether he be gainly or not.

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Those who sit in a glass house do wrong to throw stones about them; besides, the American glass house is rather thin, it will break easily, and the interior is anything but a gainly sight.

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