Meanings
comparative gamelier · comparative more gamely · superlative gameliest · superlative most gamely
- Sportive; lively; joyful.
That's what I wanted: a challenging race, a gamely fight.
2004, David Unger, Life in the damn tropics: a novel4 more examples
This confirmed the penetration of the theoretical knowledge of color when it is taught using a gamely practice where the act of working come to be a pleasure.
2004, Jose Luis Caivano, editor, AIC 2004 Color and Paints, Proceedings"A worthy prospect, I must say." Sterling nodded. "I'll introduce you to Mr. Flynn, once we reach Orleans." Jack gasped like a man stabbed. "Would by chance your friend be a pale looking sort with a gamely laugh?" Sterling drew his head back.
2005, Ross Eddy Osborn, Thorns of a Tainted RoseCostumed as Whittington's beloved cat, in a knee-length black cloak that swirled around tight broadcloth trousers and jack boots, she trod the floor with a gamely dignity that cast all the requisite princesses and pretty shepherdesses in a pale light.
2009, Jillian Hunter, A Wicked Lord at the WeddingHere was a sober young Harlemite in a gamely tilted bowler with a little French mustache.
2011, Amor Towles, Rules of Civility - usuallyfishingOf or pertaining to game.
The black bass was strongly recommended as a gamely creature and as excellent for the table, and it was put into Meeting-house Pond.
1893, William Sweetzer Heywood, History of Westminster, Massachusetts
comparative more gamely · superlative most gamely
- In a game or plucky manner; in a willing and spirited fashion.
Stoke pressed gamely but clear chances were few and Fulham held on to record a first away league win in 16 months.
2010 December 28, Marc Vesty, “Stoke 0 - 2 Fulham”, in BBC2 more examples
Many of the other boats cut in, with their radios, to cheer Dick on, while he gamely fought the huge fish. The monster was continually stripping line off the reel, as Dick fought gamely; reeling for all he was worth!
2011, Harry Grigsby, Key Largo AdventuresBut her belief in the fruits of that labor[…]means that she will gamely take whatever licks and praise might come with being in charge and trying to stay on the cutting edge.
2022 March 17, Joe Coscarelli, “Rosalía Reserves the Right to Transform”, in The New York Times, →ISSNSynonyms: bravely, indomitably, pluckily, resolutely
Synonyms & antonyms
adverbIn a game or plucky manner; in a willing and spirited fashion.
Origin
Rhymes & wordplay
Anagrams
Cite this entry
gamely. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/gamely
“gamely.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/gamely. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “gamely,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/gamely.
Source: gamely on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.