rightly

adverb

right·​ly ˈrīt-lē 

1

: in accordance with right conduct : fairly, justly

was treated rightly

2

: in the right or proper manner : properly, fittingly

people are rightly upset

3

: according to truth or fact : correctly, exactly

If I remember rightly, today is his birthday.

Synonyms of rightly

• properly
• correctly
• appropriately

Examples of rightly in a Sentence

If I remember rightly, today is his birthday.

She rightly anticipated a decline in the value of the stock.

He points out, quite rightly, that there are flaws in the theory.

Many people, rightly or wrongly, believe the economy will soon improve.

She rightly admires his paintings.

People are rightly upset about the city's rising crime rate.

Quite rightly, the police commissioner is being blamed for the city's rising crime rate.

She is proud of her children, and rightly so.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Bison, to be sure, have been elite, and they are rightly celebrated as football heroes in Fargo as a sparkling example of sustained success. — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2026

Swift’s character rightly points out that her categories were relegated to the Creative Arts ceremony. — Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026

Cleveland also presumed rightly that Kiffin’s professional wandering eye meant the pairing was destined for a bad ending. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026

Final Thoughts The construction industry moves carefully, and rightly so. — Zev Laine, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rightly

• if (my) memory serves me (correctly/right/rightly)
• memory serves me rightly/correctly
• not rightly

Rhymes for rightly

• brightly
• knightly
• lightly
• nightly
• sightly
• slightly
• sprightly
• tightly
• whitely
• forthrightly
• fortnightly
• politely

Kids Definition

rightly

adverb

right·​ly ˈrīt-lē 

1

: in agreement with right conduct

2

: in the right or proper manner

3

: in agreement with truth or fact