What does abandonedly mean?
"Abandonedly" is a rare English adverb meaning in an unrestrained, unreserved manner — doing something with complete freedom from inhibition, self-consciousness, or caution. Someone who laughs abandonedly, dances abandonedly, or weeps abandonedly gives themselves over wholly to the emotion or activity of the moment. The word derives from the verb "abandon," which entered English from Old French in the sense of surrendering oneself to an impulse or yielding control, so the adverb inherits that spirit of release rather than the modern negative sense of desertion. Because of its rarity, writers more often reach for the phrase "with abandon" or adverbs like "recklessly" or "wildly"; when "abandonedly" does appear, it tends to lend a slightly literary, expressive flavor to descriptions of spontaneous joy, grief, or passion. It is understood in both British and American English but is uncommon enough that many readers will encounter it chiefly in fiction or poetry.
adverbIn an unrestrained, unreserved, or heedless manner; without inhibition or self-control.
- In an unrestrained, unselfconscious manner; without holding back emotionally or physically.
"She danced abandonedly, letting the music carry her past every care."
"He laughed abandonedly for the first time in years."
"The children splashed abandonedly in the shallows, indifferent to their soaked clothes."
So rare that most people meet it only in the dictionary, "abandonedly" is what happens when the word "abandoned" itself lets go of all restraint.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of abandonedly
"Abandonedly" is formed from the verb "abandon" plus the participial suffix "-ed" and the adverbial suffix "-ly." The verb "abandon" came into Middle English from Old French "abandoner," ultimately rooted in the phrase "(mettre) a bandon" — to put under someone's control or at their disposal — where "bandon" relates to jurisdiction and command. This same Germanic-derived root gave English the words "ban," "banish," and, through Italian, "bandit" and "contraband." The adverb itself is a much later, infrequent formation used to describe action done with abandon.
Related word forms
How abandonedly is actually used
A rare and somewhat literary adverb; in everyday speech and writing, phrases like "with abandon" or "recklessly" are far more common. It carries a generally positive or neutral connotation of freedom and spontaneity rather than negligence.
Easily confused with abandonedly
"Abandoned" is an adjective describing something left behind or given up, while "abandonedly" is an adverb describing action done in an unrestrained manner.
"Abundantly" means plentifully or in large quantity, whereas "abandonedly" means without restraint; the words resemble each other only in spelling.