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gayly. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
gayly, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
gayly in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
gayly you have here. The definition of the word
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English
Etymology
From gay + -ly.
Pronunciation
Adverb
gayly (comparative more gayly, superlative most gayly)
- (uncommon, dated) Cheerfully; in a gay manner.
1810, Walter Scott, “(please specify the canto number or page)”, in The Lady of the Lake; , Edinburgh: [James Ballantyne and Co.] for John Ballantyne and Co.; London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme, and William Miller, →OCLC, (please specify the stanza number):Gayly to bourgeon and broadly to grow.
1852, Mrs M.A. Thompson, “The Tutor's Daughter”, in Graham's American Monthly Magazine of Literature, Art, and Fashion, page 266:In the lightness of my heart I sang catches of songs as my horse gayly bore me along the well-remembered road.
1958, Printers' Ink, volume 262, page 28:Gayly-dressed mavournins and blaring bands stepped lively along Fifth Avenue.
Usage notes
- The meaning "in a homosexual manner", while an obvious derivation of the current primary meaning of gay, rarely appears, and when it does, it is typically used with an awareness of its rarity. In reference to cheerfulness or joyfulness, gaily is much more common.