Risibly

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. In a way that provokes laughter or is amusing enough to make someone laugh
2. Acting or happening so as to induce laughter or comedic effect
3. Performing or appearing in such a way that it is laughable or humorously absurd

Etymology: "Risibly" is an adverb formed from "risible," which came into English from Late Latin "risibilis," meaning "laughable," built on "risus," "laughter." The Latin root reaches back, via Proto-Indo-European, to a verb for laughing that also shows up in the Germanic side of the family. The final syllable is the older story: "-ly" descends from Old English "-līċe," a suffix that turned adjectives into adverbs, and its Germanic ancestors carried the sense of "body-like" or "in the manner of." So "risibly" simply means "in a risible manner," with a Latin adjective and a Germanic adverb ending joined together.

Synonyms: laughably, comically, absurdly, ridiculously, funnily

Antonyms: seriously, solemnly, gravely, soberly, earnestly