primly

[ prim-lee ]

adverb

1. in a proper, neat, precise, or fastidious way:

   Today I stand in my navy blue uniform, my feet primly encased in black boots laced neatly over wool socks.

   As we left the restaurant I noticed that most of the other diners were eating their shrimp with knives and forks, primly dissecting each one.

2. (especially of a woman or girl) in a way that is excessively demure or modest:

   Justin and I sat, and she sat across from us, primly holding her knees together and folding her hands on top of them.

Word History and Origins

Origin of primly¹

prim ¹( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

George Will put it more primly, but with the same sense of trepidation.

From The Daily Beast

Engel would come walking along primly, right into its light.

From Project Gutenberg

The arrangement of the room coquettes primly with that simplicity which was paraded at the time.

From Project Gutenberg

"It has nothing to do with the secret proceedings of your 'frat'," said Dora, primly.

From Project Gutenberg

"You will please pardon me, but I do not care to receive you," she said primly.

From Project Gutenberg

He commanded young Harvey to lift the child into the coach, chestnuts and all, and there she sat primly between us.

From Project Gutenberg