English Dictionary

GAILY

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IPA (US): 

 Dictionary entry overview: What does gaily mean? 

GAILY (adverb)
  The adverb GAILY has 1 sense:

1. in a gay mannerplay

  Familiarity information: GAILY used as an adverb is very rare.


 Dictionary entry details 


GAILY (adverb)


Sense 1

Meaning:

In a gay manner

Context example:

the scandals were gaily diverting

Pertainym:

gay (offering fun and gaiety)


 Context examples 


“Where is the trouble you were so sure was breezing up, Captain Larsen?” she asked gaily.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

One edition of jelly was trickled from pot to pot, another lay upon the floor, and a third was burning gaily on the stove.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

And sometimes, as we were running gaily across the Cathedral yard together, expecting to meet nobody, we would meet Mr. Jack Maldon, who was always surprised to see us.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

She then ran gaily off, rejoicing as she rambled about, in the hope of being at home again in a day or two.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

As he went lazily on, dragging one foot after another, a man came in sight, trotting gaily along on a capital horse.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

A close observer might have gathered that the topic was distasteful; but the doctor carried it off gaily.

(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

Catherine, delighted by all that had passed, proceeded gaily to Pulteney Street, walking, as she concluded, with great elasticity, though she had never thought of it before.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

Presently the chambers gave up their fair tenants one after another: each came out gaily and airily, with dress that gleamed lustrous through the dusk.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

As we came to the door we heard the lunatic within singing gaily, as he used to do in the time which now seems so long ago.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

He showed me the West-end streets, with the bright carriages and the gaily dressed ladies and sombre-clad men, all crossing and hurrying and recrossing like an ants’ nest when you turn it over with a stick.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)



 Learn English with... Proverbs 
"Chance favors the prepared mind." (English proverb)

"With all things and in all things, we are relatives." (Native American proverb, Sioux)

"The wound that bleeds inwardly is the most dangerous." (Arabic proverb)

"Don't postpone until tomorrow, what you can do today." (Dutch proverb)



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