What does wavily mean?
Wavily is an adverb meaning “in a wavy or undulating manner.” It describes a line, surface, movement, or piece of writing that follows a wave-like path, rises and falls, or undulates. For example, heat haze can make distant scenery seem to move wavily, while an unsteady pen stroke may make a word look uneven and sinuous. The word is uncommon and has a somewhat literary tone, so writers often choose “in a wavy manner” when plainness matters. Its connotations are generally gentle or visual rather than dramatic: the movement resembles waves and may be graceful, fluid, or slightly unstable. Wavily comes from the adjective wavy and is useful when an adverb is needed to distinguish the manner of movement or appearance from the shape itself. Unlike waveringly, which emphasizes uncertainty or loss of steadiness, wavily primarily emphasizes the wave-like pattern of what is being described.
adverbIn a wavy or undulating manner.
- With a wave-like or undulating movement or appearance.
"A ribbon drifted wavily in the breeze."
"The flag stirred wavily in the gusting wind."
"He sketched the coastline so that its line wandered wavily across the page."
Wavy describes the shape; wavily describes the motion.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does wavily come from?
Wavily is an English adverb formed from the adjective wavy and the adverb-forming suffix -ly. Wavy derives from wave, an English word that continues an Old English term for a wave or undulation. The productive English suffix -ly converts the adjective into an adverb describing the manner of the action, hence the sense “in a wave-like manner.”
How wavily is actually used
Uncommon and somewhat literary. It is useful when describing the wave-like character of movement or appearance; in less formal prose, “in a wavy manner” may be clearer.
Easily confused with wavily
Wavily describes movement or appearance with a wave-like pattern, whereas waveringly emphasizes uncertainty, hesitation, or loss of steadiness.