meanly

1 of 2

adverb (1)

mean·​ly ˈmēn-lē How to pronounce meanly (audio)
obsolete
: fairly well : moderately

meanly

2 of 2

adverb (2)

: in a mean manner: such as
a
: in a lowly manner : humbly
b
: in an inferior manner
c
: in a base or ungenerous manner

Examples of meanly in a Sentence

Adverb (2) meanly silent up to that point, he now felt that fair criticism was turning into gratuitous insult in a meanly worded letter she told me that she never wanted to see me again
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adverb
Fearing the sentimental, my nature is to end things meanly. Willing Davidson, The New Yorker, 21 July 2024 The third point in this tinderbox triangle of frenemyship is Elena, a girl in their class whom Jana side-eyes meanly for her reputation for being easy, who uploads twerking selfies to social media and who also buzzes around school jock Kris. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 1 Sep. 2021 Later visits from the Galileo mission confirmed this very active volcanism on Io, with surface lava temperatures of 1250-1450C, meanly likely ultramafic compositions (komaiites - very low silica content, below 45 weight % and rare on Earth). Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 18 May 2011

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adverb (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of meanly was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near meanly

Cite this Entry

“Meanly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meanly. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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