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

For many collectors and cognoscenti of the world’s most important cars, the Bugatti Veyron is a favorite—and rightly so. —Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 22 Jan. 2026

The Valencia region is usually shorthand for its string of Mediterranean coastal towns and rightly so. —Zoë Dare Hall, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026

America’s armed forces are conditioned to obey the orders of civilian authorities, and rightly so. —Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2026

Most financial advisers warn against overspending on status, and rightly so. —Steve Booren, Denver Post, 18 Jan. 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