-ably

See also: ably

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

-able +‎ -ly

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /əbli/ (unstressed)
  • Audio (Southern England)(file)

Suffix

-ably

  1. Used to form adverbs corresponding to adjectives that end in -able.
    suitably

Usage notes

Generally only used to form analogs to adjectives ending in -able, replacing the existing -able. Rather than a distinct suffix, this can be considered a class of euphonic blends of -ble and -ly, as in feebly, nimbly, and nobly, among others. Compare -ability, which is more strictly an analog, originating in parallel borrowings from French, sometimes Latin.

Derived terms
English terms suffixed with -ably

References
  1. Laurence Urdang (editor), The Random House College Dictionary (Random House, 1984 [1975], →ISBN), page 4

Anagrams
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