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ably

[ ey-blee ]

/ ˈeɪ bli /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR ably ON THESAURUS.COM

adverb

in an able manner; with skill or ability; competently.

Origin of ably

First recorded in 1350–1400, ably is from the Middle English word abelli. See able, -ly

Words nearby ably

abloom, abluent, ablush, abluted, ablution, ably, abm, abm treaty, abmho, abmodality, abn

Definition for ably (2 of 2)

-ably

a suffix combining -able and -ly that forms adverbs corresponding to adjectives ending in -able: commendably; dependably; tolerably.

Also -ibly.

Example sentences from the Web for ably

All these debates and doings made for juicy news, and the men of the local staff, ably bossed by Callahan, poured it out daily.

The Stacks: H.L. Mencken on the 1904 Baltimore Fire |H.L. Mencken |October 4, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
This is a real book with a real story, ably told and ably illustrated.

Exile on Sesame Street: Keith Richards Writes a Kids’ Book |Malcolm Jones |September 12, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
But he died counting Clinton a friend who had ‘served the American people most ably.’

Scaife v. Clinton and the Dangers of Demonization |John Avlon |July 7, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
A Florida native, Russell ably captures her state's wonky blend of natural beauty and carny effects.

Great Weekend Reads |The Daily Beast |February 12, 2011 |DAILY BEAST

Although Mr. Cutter was absent the dancing contingent was ably represented, and a delightful evening was enjoyed.

Papers and Proceedings of the Twenty-Third General Meeting of the American Library Association |Various
He had from the outset most ably and most warmly supported the claims of the colonists.

The Loyalists of America and Their Times, Vol. 2 of 2 |Edgerton Ryerson
Nowhere are the defects of the scholarship of the Middle Ages more pointedly and ably exhibited than in what he has said of them.

Atlantic Monthly, Volume 6, No. 38, December, 1860 |Various
So ably and efficiently did Major Braxton represent his constituents that he won another election without any opposition.

Historic Fredericksburg |John T. Goolrick
This year suffragists had ably assisted the City Party in a reform campaign and advanced their own cause.

The History of Woman Suffrage, Volume VI |Various

British Dictionary definitions for ably

ably

/ (ˈeɪblɪ) /

adverb

in a competent or skilful manner