ENGLISH
REFERENCE

rightly

adv. sent.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈɹaɪtɫi// UK //ɹˈaɪtli// right·ly

adv. in a way that is fair, correct, or morally good. You use this when you agree with an action or a decision.

adv. in a manner that is morally or factually correct; justifiably. Often used to express the speaker's agreement with a specific outcome or judgment.


SIMPLE

The judge rightly decided to dismiss the case.

CONTEXTUAL

Many people felt that the local hero was rightly rewarded for his bravery during the flood.

COMPLEX

The committee rightly concluded that the project was no longer viable, saving the organization from further financial losses that would have been impossible to recover.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English ryȝtly, rihtliche, from Old English rihtlīċe, from Proto-West Germanic rehtalīkā, rehtalīkō, from Proto-Germanic rehtalīkê, rehtalīkô (“rightly”), equivalent to right + -ly. Cognate with West Frisian rjochtlik, Dutch rechtelijk, German rechtlich, Swedish rätteligen, Icelandic réttilega.

Usage

As a sentence adverb, it often appears at the start of a clause or before the main verb to show the speaker's stance.

Pitfall

He rightly did the mathHe did the math correctlyWhile 'rightly' means 'justifiably' or 'fairly', learners often use it when they mean 'correctly' or 'accurately' in a technical sense.

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