The meaning of LY- is degrading : reduction. How to use ly- in a sentence.

The suffix -ly in English is usually a contraction of -like, similar to the Anglo-Saxon -lice and German -lich. [1] It is commonly added to an adjective to form an adverb, but in some cases it …

-LY definition: 1. in the stated way: 2. when considered in the stated way: 3. regularly after the stated period…. Learn more.

Nov 10, 2025 · -ly (comparative -lyere, superlative -lyest) Used to form adjectives from nouns, the adjectives having the sense of "like or characteristic of what is denoted by the noun".

Definition of -ly suffix in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

-ly is added to nouns to form adjectives that describe someone or something as being like or typical of a particular kind of person or thing. The staff are very friendly. This was a cowardly …

Britannica Dictionary definition of -LY 1 : similar in appearance, manner, or nature to a (specified) person queen ly father ly 2 : characterized by regular occurrence in (specified) periods of time

-ly is also attached to nouns that refer to units of time, to form adjectives and adverbs with the meaning "at or for every (such unit of time)'': hour + -ly → hourly (= at every hour); day + -ly → …

Old English and Middle English had such expressions as lie still, sit still, stand still, "without moving, silent (ly) and...noiseless (ly)," in which still could be adjective or adverb....

When is the suffix -ly used? Suffixes can be added to the end of a word to change its meaning. Discover more with this KS1 and KS2 Bitesize English Explainer.