What does unsettledly mean?
Unsettledly is an uncommon English adverb meaning in an uneasy, unsettled, or disturbed manner. It typically describes how a person moves, speaks, or behaves: someone who shifts and avoids eye contact may do so unsettledly. The word is especially useful when the focus is on the manner of an action rather than on naming the emotion itself. “Uneasily” is the usual modern choice in neutral writing, while “unsettledly” can sound more literary or emphatic. It can also describe something moving or changing in an unsettled way, such as water or markets, although such uses are relatively uncommon. Although “unsettled” and “unsettledly” look related, the former is principally an adjective and can also be a verb, whereas the latter functions only as an adverb. Its rarity makes it most noticeable in formal, descriptive, or literary writing.
adverbIn an uneasy, unsettled, or disturbed manner.
- In an uneasy, unsettled, or disturbed manner.
"He shifted unsettledly in his chair and avoided her gaze."
"The child moved unsettledly whenever the stranger entered the room."
"She spoke unsettledly, pausing as though unsure whether to continue."
“Unsettledly” is the compact way to say that unease is showing in someone's movements, voice, or gaze.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does unsettledly come from?
Unsettledly was formed by adding the suffix -ly to unsettled, an adjective derived from unsettle. The family ultimately traces to Old English setlan, “to place, set, or settle,” from Proto-Germanic *satjaną, a causative formation associated with the root of sit. Related Germanic forms include set, seat, and sit, while the prefixed forms unsettle and unsettled introduced the opposite sense of being not settled.
How unsettledly is actually used
Uncommon and somewhat literary in tone; neutral prose usually uses “uneasily,” “nervously,” or “anxiously” instead.
Easily confused with unsettledly
Unsettled is principally an adjective describing a person, situation, or thing, whereas unsettledly is an adverb describing how an action or manner is performed.