Perkily

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. Characterized by a lively and cheerful demeanor, often full of energy and enthusiasm
2. exhibiting a spirited and upbeat attitude that brings joy to oneself and others
3. displaying an invigorating sense of cheerfulness and an optimistic outlook that enhances social interactions

Etymology: "Perkily" is a plain formation: the adjective "perky" with the suffix "-ly" added to turn it into an adverb, meaning "in a perky manner." The more interesting history lies in the adjective. "Perky" traces back through Old English "-īg" and Proto-Germanic "*-gaz," a family of suffixes that formed adjectives meaning "having the quality of," and it was built onto the root "perk," which carries the sense of something lifted up or held erect, as in a perked-up head or ears. The suffix "-ly" has an equally old pedigree. It descends from Old English "-līċe," which was itself an adverb-forming ending related to the word "līc," meaning "body" or "form." So "perkily" carries, within it, the image of acting "in the body-shape of" something: in this case, a body held up and bright. Middle English shortened the ending to "-ly," and the pattern has been used ever since to turn adjectives into adverbs.

Synonyms: cheerfully, lively, jauntily, sprightly, vividly

Antonyms: sadly, sorrowfully, dejectedly, mournfully, gloomily