rhythmically

[rith-mik-lee]

adverb

1. with uniform or patterned repetition, as of a beat or a particular movement or sound.

   One student always taps his pencil rhythmically as he studies, saying it helps him think.

2. Music.,  in a way that relates to or emphasizes a regular pattern of strong and weak beats.

   This part of the piece is rhythmically and harmonically quite simple, with phrases of unsurprising length and uninterrupted flow.

3. with measured or flowing movement, as in dancing.

   Tall reeds edging the road were waving rhythmically back and forth with the wind.

4. Art, Literature.,  with or by means of the patterned repetition of a motif or formal element in the same or a modified form.

   In Cézanne’s Large Bathers, I like the patterned arrangement of rhythmically leaning trees and the figures gathered under their triangular canopy.

5. Prosody.,  in a way that relates to or makes effective use of poetic meter.

   His poems are among the most vivid and rhythmically alluring in the English language.

6. Theater, Movies.,  in a way that alternates between dialogue and description, shorter and longer scenes or sentences, etc., in order to create a measured or patterned effect of movement, tension, and emotion.

   The war correspondent’s story flows rhythmically and sensually from one conflict to another.

Other Word Forms

• hyperrhythmically adverb
• nonrhythmically adverb
• semirhythmically adverb
• unrhythmically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of rhythmically¹

First recorded in 1680–90; rhythmical ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )

Example Sentences

At the forefront is Unitree, which went viral in January after its humanoid robots performed a Chinese folk dance live, marching rhythmically while tossing and twirling handkerchiefs.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

I feel my guard drop as four hands rhythmically circulate above my lungs, heart and digestive organs.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

When forced by Pozzo to dance, Mr. Thornton merely doffs his bowler hat rhythmically a few times in a funny nod to Bob Fosse.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“They really are gorgeous, not only to look at, but rhythmically they’re fabulous.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Shrouded in crimson robes, prayer beads moving rhythmically past his fingers, the monk walks towards us.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• adroitly 
• beautifully 
• delicately 
• easily 
• elegantly www.thesaurus.com
• graciously 
• neatly www.thesaurus.com
• nimbly 
• skillfully www.thesaurus.com
• smoothly www.thesaurus.com