Word
squarely
Phoneticssquare·ly, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈskwɛɹɫi/
UK/skwˈeəli/
Adverb of manner
Definition
adv. directly and exactly in a specific place or position. You can also use it to say that something is done in an honest and clear way.
adv. directly, precisely, or without deviation in position or manner. Often describes the placement of responsibility or the directness of a physical impact.
Examples
“The ball hit him squarely on the nose.”
“The CEO placed the blame squarely on the shoulders of the marketing department after the campaign failed.”
“The architect designed the new wing to sit squarely within the footprint of the original garden, ensuring the historical layout remained largely undisturbed.”
Examples
simple
“The ball hit him squarely on the nose.”
contextual
“The CEO placed the blame squarely on the shoulders of the marketing department after the campaign failed.”
complex
“The architect designed the new wing to sit squarely within the footprint of the original garden, ensuring the historical layout remained largely undisturbed.”
Usage
Typically follows the verb or the prepositional phrase it modifies.
Real-World Examples
“Photograph: Dvora/Rex/Shutterstock This is a thumb-sized tuck placed squarely underneath your belly button.” Etymology
From square + -ly. First use appears c. 1557 in the writings of Robert Recorde.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
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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