rightly

American  

[rahyt-lee] / ˈraɪt li /

adverb

1. in accordance with truth or fact; correctly.

   to see rightly; to understand rightly.

2. in accordance with morality or equity; uprightly.

3. properly, fitly, or suitably.

   to be rightly dressed.

4. Informal. with certainty; positively.

   I can't rightly say.

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rightly British  

/ ˈraɪtlɪ /

adverb

1. in accordance with the facts; correctly

2. in accordance with principles of justice or morality

3. with good reason; justifiably

   he was rightly annoyed with her

4. properly or suitably; appropriately

   rightly dressed for a wedding

5. informal (used with a negative) with certainty; positively or precisely (usually in the phrases I don't rightly know, I can't rightly say )

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Etymology

Origin of rightly

before 900; Middle English; Old English rihtlīce. See right, -ly

Example Sentences

"The act of making such an image is rightly illegal – the technology enabling it should also be," she said in a report.

From BBC

She added: "Today's strategy rightly recognises the scale of this challenge and the need to address the misogynistic attitudes that underpin it, but the level of investment to achieve this falls seriously short."

From BBC

The Defense Department has rightly incorporated this standard into its Law of War Manual.

From The Wall Street Journal

But Rangers will, rightly, take that all day long for now.

From BBC

“Americans are rightly concerned about AI’s impact on kids, jobs, and the costs imposed on consumers and communities by the rapid development of data centers,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accurately
• appropriately
• correctly
• exactly
• fairly
• justly
• properly
• truly