-ably

See also: ably

English

Alternative forms

• -ibly
• -bly

Etymology

-able +‎ -ly

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /əbli/ (unstressed)

• Audio (Southern England)

  (file)

Suffix

-ably

1. Used to form adverbs corresponding to adjectives that end in -able.

   suitably

Usage notes

Generally only used to form analogs to adjectives ending in -able, replacing the existing -able. Rather than a distinct suffix, this can be considered a class of euphonic blends of -ble and -ly, as in feebly, nimbly, and nobly, among others. Compare -ability, which is more strictly an analog, originating in parallel borrowings from French, sometimes Latin.

Derived terms

English terms suffixed with -ably

Anagrams

• Alby, Blay, blay