Word Adverb
tenderly
adv.
manner
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈtɛndɝɫi/ UK /tˈɛndəli/ ten·der·ly
Definition
adv.in a gentle and caring way. You use this to describe how someone touches, holds, or speaks to someone else with love and care.
adv.in a gentle, affectionate, or careful manner. Often describes physical contact or speech intended to show care and concern.
Examples
“She held the baby's hand tenderly.”
“The nurse treated the patient's wound tenderly to avoid causing any further pain or discomfort.”
“The old man spoke tenderly of his childhood, recounting stories with a softness that suggested a deep, enduring connection to the past.”
Real-world usage
“The dialogue is funny, tenderly painting the warm family relationships until that one moment destroys everything.”
Etymology
From tender + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated