gayly

comparative more gayly · superlative most gayly

1. dateduncommonCheerfully; in a gay manner.

   Gayly to bourgeon and broadly to grow.

   1810, Walter Scott, “(please specify the canto number or page)”, in The Lady of the Lake; […], Edinburgh: […] [James Ballantyne and Co.] for John Ballantyne and Co.; London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme, and William Miller, →OCLC, (please specify the stanza number)

   3 more examples

   He was much over-dressed, in a gaudy vest of many colors, a blue neckerchief, bedropped gayly with yellow spots, and arranged with a flaunting tie, quite in keeping with the general air of the man.

   1851 June – 1852 April, Harriet Beecher Stowe, chapter 1, in Uncle Tom’s Cabin; or, Life among the Lowly, volume I, Boston, Mass.: John P[unchard] Jewett & Company; Cleveland, Oh.: Jewett, Proctor & Worthington, published 20 March 1852, →OCLC, page 13

   In the lightness of my heart I sang catches of songs as my horse gayly bore me along the well-remembered road.

   1852, Mrs M.A. Thompson, “The Tutor's Daughter”, in Graham's American Monthly Magazine of Literature, Art, and Fashion, page 266

   Gayly-dressed mavournins and blaring bands stepped lively along Fifth Avenue.

   1958, Printers' Ink, volume 262, page 28

   Synonyms: joyously, mirthfully, blessedly, bubblingly, chearfully, cheerfully, cheerily, cheerly