NYT Dictionary

GENTLY

/ˈd͡ʒɛntli/
AdverbGEN-tlygen-tly · 2 syllablesGrade 9

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2019, 2020, 2025

Meaning

In a manner characterized by gentleness

Etymology

Origin: Middle English

From Middle English gentilly, gentlych, gentilliche, equivalent to gentle + -ly, with *-lely simplified to -ly by haplology.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

mildlylightlysoftlydeliberatelydelicatelyeasilycautiouslycircumspectlycompliantlycrawlingly

Antonyms

roughly

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 1 recorded puzzle:

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