ably
adverb
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ably
1 American
[ey-blee]
/ ˈeɪ bli /
adverb
-ably
2
American
ably
British
/ ˈeɪblɪ /
adverb
Etymology
Origin of ably
First recorded in 1350–1400, ably is from the Middle English word abelli. See able, -ly
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The huge holes in the system have been ably documented by Demian Brady, vice president of research at the National Taxpayers Union Foundation, which helped spur prior successful efforts to tighten pension rules.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026
“We have told these Countries that we will guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business,” he said.
From MarketWatch • May 3, 2026
You’ve now connected up, and I think this actually was ably done in the Hungarian messaging too, corruption and the cost of living, right?
From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026
What struck me instead is how ably Garbus presents what Rupert Murdoch and men like him have wrought as not just a blight on society but a pox on all our houses, including his own.
From Salon • Mar. 14, 2026
My case was ably defended by advocate Walter Poliak, Q.C., chairman of the Johannesburg Bar Council.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
