gradely

1 of 2

adjective

grade·​ly
ˈgrādli
1
dialectal, England : fine, good, and desirable:
a
: upstanding and worthy
how proud I am of Rochdale and of its gradely folksGracie Fields
b
: promising and likely
a gradely lad
c
: physically well : being in good health
Mama and Papa are … gradelyCharlotte Brontë
d
: physically attractive : good-looking
2
dialectal, England : fitting and proper : appropriate

gradely

2 of 2

adverb

"
1
dialectal, England : properly and suitably
2
dialectal, England : well

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English greithly, graithly ready, prompt, excellent, from Old Norse greithliga ready, prompt, from greithr ready, free + -ligr -ly

Adverb

Middle English greithly, graithly promptly, suitably, from Old Norse greithligr promptly, from greithligr, adjective

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Dictionary Entries Near gradely

Cite this Entry

“Gradely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gradely. Accessed 29 Mar. 2023.

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