Beautifully

Part of speech: adverb

Pronunciation: /ˈbjuːtɪf(ə)li/

Definitions

1. In a manner that is pleasing to the eye or ear, or in a way that demonstrates skill and elegance
2. In a manner that showcases aesthetic appeal, harmony, or remarkable talent and artistry
3. In a way that evokes admiration through visual or auditory charm, as well as through notable craftsmanship

Etymology: Beautifully is an inflected-style adverb built in two stages: "beautiful" plus the adverbial suffix "-ly". The adjective "beautiful" joins "beauty" with "-ful", meaning "full of", so the sense is "full of beauty." The root behind "beauty" traces back through Anglo-Norman "biauté" to Latin "bellus", meaning "beautiful" or "handsome," and the Latin "-itātem" ending that turns adjectives into abstract nouns. The suffix "-ly" has a longer ancestry than the word it attaches to. It descends from Old English "-līċe", which was itself a form of an older Germanic word meaning "body" or "form," so the idea of "in the shape of" lies inside every adverb ending in "-ly." Adding it to "beautiful" produced "beautifully," which is first attested in the 17th century.

Synonyms: gracefully, elegantly, charmingly

Antonyms: ugly, poorly