Enterprisingly

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. Exhibiting a proactive and imaginative approach to seeking out opportunities while taking calculated risks in various undertakings
2. Showing a readiness to undertake new plans with creativity and boldness
3. Demonstrating cleverness and a forward-thinking attitude when pursuing goals

Etymology: Enterprisingly is an adverb built from "enterprising" plus the suffix "-ly", and the suffix does most of the historical work. The "-ly" ending traces back through Middle English and Old English "-lic" and "-līċe" to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "body" or "form", the same root that gave English "like" in its older sense of "having the form of". So "-ly" began as a word for shape and appearance, and attaching it to an adjective meant "in the manner of" that quality. Enterprising itself is the older word that matters here. Its root is the French "entreprendre", meaning "to undertake", which gave English "enterprise" as a noun for a bold undertaking. The adjective "enterprising", describing a person ready to take on such undertakings, came later, and the adverb followed from it in the usual way: an enterprising person acts enterprisingly.

Synonyms: resourcefully, inventively, creatively, daringly, boldly