-ly meaning
EN
[li] W-ly
- The suffix -ly in English is usually a contraction of -like, similar to the Anglo-Saxon lice and German lich. It is commonly added to an adjective to form an adverb, but in some cases it is used to form an adjective, such as ugly or manly.
- Though the origin of the suffix is Germanic, it may now be added to adjectives of Latin origin, as in publicly.
- When the suffix is added to a word ending in y, the y changes to an i before the suffix, as in happily (from happy).
- When the suffix is added to a word ending in double l, no additional l is added; for example, full becomes fully. Note also wholly (from whole), which may be pronounced either with a single l sound (like holy) or with a doubled (geminate) l.
- Suffix
- Used to form adjectives from nouns, the adjectives having the sense of "like or characteristic of what is denoted by the noun".
- friendly
- Used to form adjectives from nouns specifying time intervals, the adjectives having the sense of "occurring at such intervals".
- monthly, daily
- Used to form adverbs from adjectives.
- suddenly
- Used to form adjectives from nouns, the adjectives having the sense of "like or characteristic of what is denoted by the noun".
Definition of -ly in English Dictionary
- Part-of-Speech Hierarchy
- Morphemes
- Suffixes
- Adjective-forming suffixes
- Adverb-forming suffixes
- Adjective-forming suffixes
- Suffixes
- Morphemes
Source: Wiktionary
Grammatically, this word "-ly" is a morpheme, more specifically, a suffixe.