rightly

[rahyt-lee]

adverb

1. in accordance with truth or fact; correctly.

   to see rightly; to understand rightly.

2. in accordance with morality or equity; uprightly.

3. properly, fitly, or suitably.

   to be rightly dressed.

4. Informal.,  with certainty; positively.

   I can't rightly say.

rightly

/ ˈraɪtlɪ /

adverb

1. in accordance with the facts; correctly

2. in accordance with principles of justice or morality

3. with good reason; justifiably

   he was rightly annoyed with her

4. properly or suitably; appropriately

   rightly dressed for a wedding

5. informal,  (used with a negative) with certainty; positively or precisely (usually in the phrases I don't rightly know, I can't rightly say )

Word History and Origins

Origin of rightly¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English rihtlīce. See right, -ly

Example Sentences

While I rightly expect proper scrutiny on me and my life, my family did not choose to have their private lives interrogated and exposed so publicly.

From BBC

"Her conduct amounted to a serious abuse of the trust which we rightly have in anyone in public office to perform their duties," he said.

From BBC

"Decisions about fee limits are rightly for ministers and parliament. Differential fee levels would offer one possible way to incentivise high quality teaching," he said.

From BBC

"I was very scared about the descent, really scared, and rightly so as it turned out," Kirsty told BBC Scotland News.

From BBC

But now, with the club conceding 11 goals in three games and looking nowhere near good enough to compete at the top level of English football, the pressure is rightly building on Potter's shoulders.

From BBC

Related Words

• accurately 
• appropriately 
• correctly www.thesaurus.com
• exactly 
• fairly 
• justly 
• properly 
• truly