Dictionary
1-ly
adjective suffix \lē; in some dialects, especially British, Southern, New England, often li but not shown at individual entries\
: similar in appearance, manner, or nature to a (specified) person
: characterized by regular occurrence in (specified) periods of time
Full Definition of -LY
1
: like in appearance, manner, or nature : having the characteristics of <queenly> <fatherly>
2
: characterized by regular recurrence in (specified) units of time : every <hourly> <weekly>
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Origin of -LY
Middle English, from Old English -līc, -lic; akin to Old High German -līh, -lic, Old English līc body — more at like
2-ly
adverb suffix
: in a (specified) manner
: in a (specified) period of time
: to a (specified) degree or extent
Full Definition of -LY
1
a : in a (specified) manner <slowly> b : at a (specified) time interval <annually>
2
: from a (specified) point of view <eschatologically>
3
: with respect to <partly>
4
: to a (specified) degree <relatively>
5
: in a (specified) place in a series <secondly>
Origin of -LY
Middle English, from Old English -līce, -lice, from -līc, adjective suffix
-LY[2] Defined for Kids
1-ly
adjective suffix \lē\
Definition of -LY for Kids
1
: like : similar to <fatherly>
2
: happening in each specified period of time : every <hourly>
2-ly
adverb suffix
Definition of -LY for Kids
1
: in a specified manner <slowly>
2
: from a specified point of view <grammatically>
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