ly-

1 of 3

combining form

variants or lyo-
1
: degrading : reduction
lyase
2
: dispersed state : dispersion
lyophilic

-ly

2 of 3

adjective suffix

lē;
 in some dialects, especially British, Southern, New England, often  but not shown at individual entries li
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

-ly

3 of 3

adverb suffix

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

Examples of ly- in a Sentence

Adverb suffix The paper is published weekly.

Word History

Etymology

Combining form

International Scientific Vocabulary, from Greek lyein to loosen, dissolve — more at lose

Adjective suffix

Middle English, from Old English -līc, -lic; akin to Old High German -līh, -lic, Old English līc body — more at like entry 3

Adverb suffix

Middle English, from Old English -līce, -lice, from -līc, adjective suffix

Dictionary Entries Near ly-

-ly

ly-

lyam

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Ly-.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ly-. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

-ly

1 of 2 adjective suffix
lē
1
: resembling in appearance, manner, or nature : having the characteristics of
queenly
fatherly
2
: happening in a regular pattern at (specified) time periods
hourly

-ly

2 of 2 adverb suffix
1
: in a (specified) manner
slowly
2
: from a (specified) point of view
grammatically
Etymology

Adjective suffix

Old English -līc, -lic "like"

Adverb suffix

Old English -līce, -lice "in a (specified) manner," from -līc "like"

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