What does blackly mean?
Blackly is an adverb meaning in a black, dark, or somber manner. It may describe something literally black, such as clouds or a sky, but it is also used figuratively for a stern, ominous, or troubled manner: a person can look blackly suspicious, or a landscape can appear blackly forbidding. The word is now chiefly literary or archaic, so ordinary speakers would usually choose darkly, somberly, or gloomily instead. Its distinctive feature is the direct association between the color black and an atmosphere of severity, concealment, or foreboding. Although it is not common in contemporary conversation, blackly can be effective in descriptive writing, where it gives a compact, forceful expression to a dark visual or emotional impression.
adverbIn a black manner; darkly or somberly. The word is now chiefly literary or archaic.
- In a black, dark, or somber manner.
"She stared blackly at the empty doorway, as if expecting it to explain his disappearance."
"The storm clouds gathered blackly above the town."
"He regarded the old photograph blackly, as though it concealed an unpleasant truth."
Blackly is an old-fashioned way to turn a color into a mood: a glance can be blackly suspicious.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does blackly come from?
Blackly is formed in English from black with the adverb-forming suffix -ly. The adjective black comes from Old English blæc, while the suffix -ly has long been used to create adverbs from adjectives. Related English forms include blackness, blackened, and blackening, all of which continue the same basic lexical root.
How blackly is actually used
Literary and archaic; uncommon in modern standard English. It can describe literal darkness or, figuratively, a severe, sinister, or somber manner.
Easily confused with blackly
Blackly means in a dark or black manner, whereas bleakly means grimly, harshly, or without hope.