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greenly

A2
adverb

Pronunciation

UK

  • /ɡrˈiːnlɪ/

US

  • /ˈɡrinli/

Description

"Greenly" is a rare adverb that means in a green way. Most often, it appears in a literary tone to describe plants, fields, woods, or landscapes that look fresh, leafy, or full of new growth. It can also suggest something young, new, or not yet fully mature. In older or more figurative writing, a person may act greenly, meaning in an inexperienced or youthful way. Although some modern readers may connect it with environmental ideas because of the word "green," that is not its main meaning.

Examples

  1. 1

    Landscape

    After the spring rain, the hills shone greenly in the sun.

    • Usage

      greenly is rare and mostly literary

  2. 2

    Forest light

    Light filtered greenly through the leaves above us.

  3. 3

    Literary image

    In the poem, the island rises greenly from the sea.

Forms and spellings

1 form open this card.

Main spelling

  • greenlyadverb