ably

adverb

ˈā-b(ə-)lē 

: in an able and skillful manner : with ability, skill, or proficiency

was ably assisted

This silly comic Christmas romp is ably performed by a cast of 22 actors, led by the high-spirited Danny McBride as the childlike Buddy.

—Matthew Yde

Last year, she ably completed a half-marathon run with only minimal training.

—Zachary Lewis

Synonyms

• adeptly
• adroitly
• artfully
• capably
• competently
• consummately
• deftly
• expertly
• masterfully
• masterly
• proficiently
• skillfully
• well

Examples of ably in a Sentence

ably maneuvered the boat up to the dock

Recent Examples on the Web

Emerging from nowhere to the speakership, Johnson has filled the role ably. —The Editors, National Review, 2 Jan. 2025

Popular on Variety Juka ably sets up a society in which no one can trust one another and the government is eager to drive wedges even further by turning anyone into an informant. —Stephen Saito, Variety, 31 Dec. 2024

Their journey of friendship and rivalry is the emotional core of a story that is startlingly political, a leap made effectively by Jeff Goldblum’s dodgy, smarmy and doddering Wizard, who’s ably assisted by the darkly dangerous aide de camp Michelle Yeoh. —Steven Gaydos, Variety, 16 Dec. 2024

Passon ably weaves the legal and legislative challenges into the hurdles that Patrice, Garry and others face daily, weekly, monthly. —Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

ably

adverb

ˈā-blē

: in an able manner