different between fairly vs freely

English

Etymology

From Middle English fayrly, fayrely, vayrliche, equivalent to fair +? -ly.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?f??(?).li/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?f??.li/
• Rhymes: -??(?)li
• Hyphenation: fair?ly

Adverb

fairly (comparative more fairly, superlative most fairly)

1. (manner) In a fair manner; fair; not biased or skewed or favouring a certain party

   Synonyms: justly, frankly

2. Favorably; auspiciously; commodiously.

3. Honestly; properly.
   • 1859, Alexander Easton, A Practical Treatise on Street or Horse-Power Railways, p.108, "Rules adopted by the Sixth Avenue Railway, N. Y.":

     10. You will be civil and attentive to passengers, giving proper assistance to ladies and children getting in or out, and never start the car before passengers are fairly received or landed.
4. Softly; quietly; gently.
5. (degree) Partly, not fully; somewhat.

   Synonyms: somewhat, pretty, quite, somewhat
6. (dated) Almost; practically.
   • 1834, Arthur Courtenay, Autobiography and Letters of Arthur Courtenay (page 36)

     We quadrilled, waltzed, and conversed, in all of which my clever partner excelled; and her charms, combined with the excellent champagne I imbibed, fairly dazzled my imagination.

Usage notes

• This is a non-descriptive qualifier, similar to quite and rather and somewhat, and some other adverbs of degree. Used where a plain adjective needs to be modified, but cannot be qualified. When spoken, the meaning can vary with the tone of voice and stress. He was fairly big can mean anything from "not exactly small" to "almost huge".

Translations

English

Pronunciation

• (US) enPR: fr?'l?, IPA^(key): /?f?ili/
• Rhymes: -i?li

Etymology 1

From Middle English frely, freelich, from Old English fr?ol?c (“free, freeborn, glorious, stately, magnificent, noble, beautiful, charming”), equivalent to free +? -ly. Compare Middle Low German vrilik, vrigelik (“free”), Middle High German vr?lich (“free”).

Alternative forms

• frely (Scotland)

Adjective

freely (comparative freelier or more freely, superlative freeliest or most freely)

1. Free; frank.
2. Generous; noble; excellent; beautiful; lovely.

Derived terms

• unfreely

Etymology 2

From Middle English frely, freliche, from Old English fr?ol??e (“freely, readily, as a festival”), equivalent to free +? -ly. Compare Dutch vrijelijk (“freely”), German freilich (“certainly, of course”).

Adverb

freely (comparative freelier or more freely, superlative freeliest or most freely)

1. In a free manner.

2. Without interference or restriction.

   talk freely
3. Of one's own free will.

   I will freely help you.

Related terms

• frankly
• openly
• costlessly

Translations

References

• “freely”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–present.