gingerly

[ jin-jer-lee ]

/ ˈdʒɪn dʒər li /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR gingerly ON THESAURUS.COM

adverb

with great care or caution; warily.

adjective

cautious, careful, or wary.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of gingerly

1510–20; ginger-, perhaps < Middle French gensor, genzor delicate, pretty, positive use of comparative of gent gentle; see -ly

SYNONYMS FOR gingerly

1. cautiously, carefully, prudently.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR gingerly ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsgin·ger·li·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for gingerly

I gingerly walked down the center staircase and out into what was a chilly, sunny October morning.
I Was Gang Raped at a UVA Frat 30 Years Ago, and No One Did Anything|Liz Seccuro|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Gingerly, about 30 couples lay down and squatted on mats and rugs for the mass face-sit.
Britain’s Record-Breaking Face-Sitting Porn Protest|Nico Hines|December 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The political and cultural climate was shifting, but gingerly.
How Robin Williams’ Mrs. Doubtfire Won the Culture Wars|Tim Teeman|August 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He gingerly lifted it up from its defensive position outside the army barracks and placed it in my hand.
Creating Consequences for South Sudan’s Political Elite|Justine Fleischner|July 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Tymchuk is right to be skeptical, and The Daily Beast, which toured (gingerly) around Slovyansk, can answer some of his questions.
Kiev Is Blowing Its Chance to Take Back East Ukraine|Jamie Dettmer|May 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Gingerly, he took the revolver and slipped it under the clips.
Thy Rocks and Rills|Robert Ernest Gilbert
He took it up, carrying it gingerly, as if it stung, and dropped it on the fire.
The Creators|May Sinclair
The mate stepped over to the bunk and gingerly ran his hand over the girl's head.
The Million Dollar Mystery|Harold MacGrath
Hewitt did not reply, but gingerly lifted the right arm by its sleeve.
Chronicles of Martin Hewitt|Arthur Morrison
I took it gingerly; it was smooth and faintly rosy at the tip.
In Search of the Unknown|Robert W. Chambers

British Dictionary definitions for gingerly

gingerly

/ (ˈdʒɪndʒəlɪ) /

adverb

in a cautious, reluctant, or timid manner

adjective

cautious, reluctant, or timid

Derived Formsgingerliness, noun

Word Origin for gingerly

C16: perhaps from Old French gensor dainty, from gent of noble birth; see gentle

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for gingerly

gingerly

adv.

1510s, "elegantly, daintily," perhaps from Old French gensor, comp. of gent "dainty, delicate," from Latin gentius "(well)-born" (see gentle). Meaning "extremely cautiously" is from c.1600.