Pleasantly

Part of speech: adverb

Pronunciation: /ˈplɛzəntli/

Definitions

1. In a manner that is agreeable, enjoyable, or satisfying to the senses or emotions
2. In a way that evokes delight or positive feelings, creating a sense of enjoyment or satisfaction
3. In a fashion that brings happiness or contentment, making experiences or interactions enjoyable and agreeable

Etymology: "Pleasantly" is a plain formation: the adjective "pleasant" with the adverbial suffix "-ly" attached. Its earliest English form appeared in Middle English as "pleasauntly," built on the adjective that had already come into the language from Old French "plaisant," the present participle of "plaisir," meaning "to please." The adjective therefore carried the idea of being agreeable from the start, and the adverb simply describes doing something in that manner. The suffix does the grammatical work. "-ly" turns an adjective into an adverb, so "pleasant" describing a person or place becomes "pleasantly" describing how an action unfolds, as in a room being pleasantly warm. The word's sense has stayed close to its roots: it means acting in a way that gives gentle, agreeable enjoyment, without the strong emotion that words like "delightfully" can suggest.

Synonyms: agreeably, enjoyably, delightfully

Antonyms: disagreeably, unpleasantly