Dictionary

gayly en · ADV

Pronunciation

• /ˈɡeɪli/

Etymology

Etymology tree English gay Middle English -ly English -ly English gayly From gay + -ly.

Meanings

1. (dated, uncommon) Cheerfully; in a gay manner.
   • Gayly to bourgeon and broadly to grow. 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):
   • In the lightness of my heart I sang catches of songs as my horse gayly bore me along the well-remembered road. 1852, Mrs M.A. Thompson, “The Tutor's Daughter”, in Graham's American Monthly Magazine of Literature, Art, and Fashion, page 266:
   • Gayly-dressed mavournins and blaring bands stepped lively along Fifth Avenue. 1958, Printers' Ink, volume 262, page 28:
   • He was much over-dressed, in a gaudy vest of many colors, a blue neckerchief, bedropped gayly with yellow spots, and arranged with a flaunting tie, quite in keeping with the general air of the man. 1851 June – 1852 April, Harriet Beecher Stowe, chapter 1, in Uncle Tom’s Cabin; or, Life among the Lowly, volume I, Boston, Mass.: John P[unchard] Jewett & Company; Cleveland, Oh.: Jewett, Proctor & Worthington, published 20 March 1852, →OCLC, page 13:

Forms

Synonyms

chearfully · gayly · eudaemonically · cheerfully · eupeptically · gaily · gladly · merrily · happily · bubblingly · joyously · blessedly · joyously · cheerly · joyfully · cheerily · lightheartedly · genially · mirthfully · mirthfully

Translations (5)

pl radośnie (in a gay manner) · pl wesoło (in a gay manner) · pl gejowato (in a homosexual manner) · pl gejowsko (in a homosexual manner) · pl pogodnie (in a gay manner)