rhythmically

American  

[rith-mik-lee] / ˈrɪð mɪk li /

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.

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of rhythmically

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

Explanation

To do something rhythmically is to do it in a repeating, almost musical way. If you’re washing a huge pile of dishes, you might notice yourself moving rhythmically as you wash, rinse, and repeat. Music has rhythm, a repeating pattern of beats. To do something rhythmically is to do it in a way that includes or resembles the beat of music. The clanking and banging sounds of a factory might repeat rhythmically. To dance is to move rhythmically. A well-executed play in football or basketball could be performed rhythmically. This word suggests both skill and repetition.

Example Sentences

Amid it all, I remember a nurse pressing two fingers rhythmically into Jane’s small chest.

From Slate • Mar. 29, 2026

Even this small motion is enough to rhythmically alter the magnetic state.

From Science Daily • Mar. 27, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 29, 2025

Scribner: We have over 50 automated elements, including the turntable, lifts, firefly hatches in the deck — they’re individually programmable pieces, but they’re run by operators who press buttons rhythmically and in the right order.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2025

He dreamed about that place in the past, and about a red blanket that was warm and moved rhythmically like breathing.

From "Ceremony:" by Leslie Marmon Silko

Related Words

• adroitly
• beautifully
• delicately
• easily
• elegantly
• graciously
• neatly
• nimbly
• skillfully
• smoothly