Standard Lemma guide

sillily

adv · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˈsɪlɪli/

1

adv

Meaning 1

In a silly manner; foolishly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: dated, hypercorrect

Examples

  • The man walked down the street so sillily that many a bystander stopped and stared slack-jawed.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English silly Proto-Indo-European *leyg-der. Proto-Germanic *līkąder. Proto-Germanic *-līkaz Proto-Germanic *-ê Proto-Germanic *-līkê Proto-West Germanic *-līkē Old English -līċe Middle English -ly English -ly English sillily From silly + -ly.