-LYlee
Suffix -LY
Adding -LY to a word usually makes it describe HOW something is done, like 'slowly' and 'quickly'.
How this rule works
The suffix -ly usually turns an adjective into an adverb. 'Slow' → 'slowly' means 'in a slow way'.
Examples
Words that use this rule
152 words in the SnapPhonics dictionary use this rule. Tap any word to see how it breaks into sounds.
actuallyattentivelybadlybarelybravelybrieflybrightlybroadlybutterflycalmlycarefullycheaplychemicallyclearlycloselycoldlycompletelyconsciouslyconstantlyconventionallycoollycorrectlycruellycurlycurrentlydailydarklydearlydeeplydifferentlydirectlyearlyeasilyemotionallyespeciallyevenlyeventuallyexactlyfairlyfinallyfirmlyfirstlyflatlyfreelyfriendlygentlygladlygreatlyhappilyhardlyheavenlyhighlyhonestlyhugelyhumblyideologicallyimmediatelyindigenouslyindubitablyinitiallyinternationallyjointlyjustlykeenlykindlylargelylatelylightlylikelylivelylonelylooselyloudlylovelymadlymainlymeeklymerelymeticulouslymildlymostlynamelynearlyneatlynewlynicelynoblynormallyoddlyofficiallyonlyopenlyoriginallyplausiblypolitelypresentlypresumablypreviouslyprobablyproudlypsychologicallypurelyquicklyquietlyradicallyrarelyreallyrichlyrightlyroughlyrudelysadlysafelyseeminglyserendipitouslysharplyshortlysimplyslowlysmoothlysoftlysolelysternlystifflystrangelystrategicallystrictlystronglysuddenlysurelysweetlyswiftlytechnologicallythinlytightlytiredlytrulyultimatelyunequivocallyunfriendlyunlikelyusuallyvaguelyvastlyvehementlywarmlyweaklyweeklywidelywildlywiselyworriedly
What is SnapPhonics?
A phonics reference for teachers, parents and learners. Every English word, broken into the sounds that make it — with audio, syllables, and the rule behind each spelling.
Save words to study lists, build flashcard decks, and scan your own worksheets and books.