Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

gainly

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 0.00 in modern English

Syllables: gain-ly
IPA

10

Scrabble Score

6

Letters

2

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

adv

Suitably; fitly; conveniently; readily.

adv

Thoroughly; completely; (with adjectives) very.

adj

Proper; suitable; becoming.

British usage

adj

Ready to help; kindly; gracious.

Archaic

adj

Graceful; tactful.

adj

Shapely; handsome.

Humorous

Etymology

From Middle English gaynly, geȝȝnlike, geynliche, equivalent to gain (“straight, direct, convenient, favourable, kindly”, adjective) + -ly (adverbial/adjectival suffix).

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: gaynly
Suffix: gain

Usage

Inflected Forms

gainlier (comparative) more gainly (comparative) gainliest (superlative) most gainly (superlative)

Derived Forms

gainliness

Antonyms

ungainly

Questions

What does gainly mean?: Suitably; fitly; conveniently; readily.
Where does gainly come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce gainly

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