sweetly

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English

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Etymology

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From Middle English swetly, swetely, sweteliche, from Old English swētlīċe (sweetly; pleasantly), equivalent to sweet +‎ -ly. Cognate with Old High German swuozlīhho (sweetly), Icelandic sætlega (sweetly; with gratitude), German süßlich (sweetish; sugary), Dutch zoetelijk (sentimental).

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ˈswiːtli/
  • Audio (US):(file)
  • Hyphenation: sweet‧ly

Adverb

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sweetly (comparative sweetlier or more sweetly, superlative sweetliest or most sweetly)

  1. With a sweet taste or aroma.
  2. In a sweet or pleasant manner.
    • 1958, Anthony Burgess, The Enemy in the Blanket (The Malayan Trilogy), published 1972, page 232:
      "No, Auntie," said Hardman, sweetly, seriously.
  3. Nicely; finely; excellently.
    • 2000, Bob Foster, Birdum or Bust!, Henley Beach, SA: Seaview Press, page 21:
      Sitting in the seat with the engine off before that day, the gears slid in so sweetly, and double de-clutching was so easy, I had done it a million times.

Translations

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Anagrams

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