What does emulously mean?
Emulously means in a spirit of rivalry, with the wish to match or surpass someone else. It is an adverb formed from the adjective emulous, and its central implication is that another person’s achievement acts as a challenge that sharpens one’s own effort. The word is often found in formal or literary prose: a company may bid emulously for a contract, or a writer may study emulously the work of a celebrated predecessor. Its tone is more competitive and specifically relational than “ambitiously,” which can suggest determination without reference to a rival. Emulously is also somewhat formal and now feels slightly old-fashioned, making it especially effective in descriptions of determined rivalry, rivalry between institutions, or attempts to emulate an admired model. Although less common in everyday speech, it is precise and vivid: it identifies not merely hard work, but hard work measured against and intensified by another person’s performance.
adverbIn a manner characterized by rivalry or the desire to match or surpass another; competitively or ambitiously.
- In the spirit of rivalry; with the desire to match, emulate, or surpass another person.
"The two companies emulously bid for the contract, each trying to outdo the other."
"The two companies emulously bid for the contract, each trying to outdo the other."
"He emulously studied the masters, hoping eventually to surpass them."
Emulously is rivalry in adverbial form: someone else’s achievement becomes a challenge that sharpens your own efforts.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does emulously come from?
Emulously was formed in English from the adjective emulous and the adverbial suffix -ly. Emulous comes from Latin aemulus, meaning “rivaling” or “ambitious,” while the related English words emulate and emulation derive from Latin aemulari, “to rival.”
How emulously is actually used
Formal and somewhat literary, with a slightly old-fashioned quality. It is more specifically relational than “ambitiously,” because it implies striving against or in imitation of another person or institution.