What does wontedly mean?
Wontedly is an uncommon adverb with two related uses. Traditionally, it means in a habitual or customary manner, describing an action performed because it is one's established practice. In older usage, it can also mean unwillingly or reluctantly, drawing on the now archaic sense of wont meaning disinclined or opposed. The word consequently carries a formal, slightly old-fashioned tone and is unlikely to occur in routine contemporary speech. Modern writers will usually find habitually, customarily, unwillingly, or reluctantly clearer and more natural, depending on the intended sense. Although uncommon, wontedly is useful because it preserves both the idea of habitual conduct and the older expression of reluctance without requiring a longer qualifying phrase.
adverbIn a habitual or customary manner. In older usage, unwillingly or reluctantly.
- In a habitual or customary manner.
- Unwillingly or reluctantly, especially in older usage.
"She wontedly returned to the subject she had hoped everyone would overlook."
"The old house was wontedly approached by a gravel path partly hidden by tall grass."
"He wontedly agreed to the proposal, although he clearly preferred another course."
Wontedly preserves the old sense of being unwilling to do something while also retaining a rarer, more elusive meaning: doing something merely out of habit.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of wontedly
Wontedly was formed by adding the adverbial suffix -ly to wonted, an adjective derived from wont, meaning accustomed or customary. The latter descends through Middle English from Old English gewuna, a Germanic word associated with habit and custom. Its deeper Indo-European connections are reflected in related English words including want and wane.
How wontedly is actually used
Wontedly is uncommon and has a literary or archaic flavor. Its traditional sense of 'unwillingly' is now most often expressed by unwillingly or reluctantly.
Easily confused with wontedly
Wontedly means habitually or, in older usage, unwillingly, whereas wantonly means deliberately and without regard for the consequences.