Understandably

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. In a fashion that can be easily related to or accepted due to the surrounding context
2. In a way that is coherent and logical, given the situation at hand
3. In a manner that is reasonable or can be justified by circumstances

Etymology: "Understandably" is a plain construction: the adjective "understandable" with the adverbial suffix "-ly" attached. The suffix traces back a long way. Its ancestor is a Proto-Germanic "-līkaz", meaning something like "having the form of" or "resembling", built on a root related to the word "lik" (body, form), which also gave English "like" in its older sense of "similar in form." Over the centuries, Old English "-līċe" was used to turn adjectives into adverbs, and Middle English shortened it to "-ly." "Understandable" itself is a compound of "understand" and "-able," meaning "capable of being understood." Adding "-ly" gives the sense "in a way that can be understood," which over time shifted toward "reasonably, given the circumstances," as in "understandably upset." The adverb therefore describes a reaction that makes sense given what has happened.

Synonyms: comprehensibly, intelligibly, reasonably

Antonyms: incomprehensibly, unreasonably