What does furiously mean?
Furiously is an adverb describing action carried out with overwhelming intensity. In its most familiar sense it means doing something while consumed by rage: one may furiously deny an accusation, furiously argue, or furiously slam a door. A second, equally established sense describes great speed or energy rather than anger — workers typing furiously to meet a deadline or flames spreading furiously through dry brush. This dual character gives the word range: its anger sense is inherently negative, but its intensity sense can read as vigorous, urgent, even admirable. Derived from the Latin furiosus, 'full of rage', via English furious, it belongs to a family that includes fury and furore. Whether signalling temper or sheer effort, furiously reliably conveys extremity — whatever is being done is being done at full throttle, with nothing held back.
adverbIn a way that involves intense anger or rage; also, with great speed, energy, or intensity.
- With intense anger or rage.
- With great speed, energy, or force (e.g. working or moving furiously).
"She furiously denied the accusations, her voice trembling with anger."
"He furiously slammed the door and stormed out of the house."
"Reporters typed furiously to file their stories before the deadline."
Furiously traces straight back to Furina, the Roman goddess who personified wild rage herself.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of furiously
Furiously derives from the adjective furious, which entered English from Old French furieux in the medieval period, ultimately rooted in Latin furiosus, meaning 'mad' or 'enraged'. That Latin term comes from furia, the Roman personification of rage and frenzy, itself tied to the Furies of Greek mythology, the avenging deities of vengeance. The adverb form arose in English by suffixing -ly, following the regular pattern of forming adverbs from adjectives. Cognates such as fury, furore, and furor share this same Latin ancestry.
Related word forms
How furiously is actually used
The word carries a strongly negative emotional connotation when describing anger, but the second sense — intense effort or speed — is often neutral or even positive, as in 'working furiously'. It is common in both formal and informal registers.
Easily confused with furiously
Seriously means in a grave or earnest manner, whereas furiously implies rage or extreme intensity — the words share an adverbial form but not meaning.