Word
doubly
Phoneticsdou·bly, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdəbɫi/
UK/dˈʌbli/
Adverb of degree
Definition
adv. to a much greater degree than usual, or in two different ways. You use it when you want to emphasize that something is twice as important or serious.
adv. to twice the degree or extent; in a twofold manner. Often used to intensify an adjective when two distinct reasons for that quality exist.
Examples
“The new rules make the job doubly difficult.”
“Losing the final was doubly painful because it was their last game together as a team.”
“The architect's design was doubly impressive, succeeding both as a functional public space and as a striking piece of modern art.”
Examples
simple
“The new rules make the job doubly difficult.”
contextual
“Losing the final was doubly painful because it was their last game together as a team.”
complex
“The architect's design was doubly impressive, succeeding both as a functional public space and as a striking piece of modern art.”
Usage
Typically placed before the adjective or adverb it modifies.
Real-World Examples
“But the “Paul is dead” theory was doubly daft since McCartney was the picture’s creative author along with Macmillan.” Etymology
From Middle English dowbly, doubli, dubli, doubeliche, equivalent to double + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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