Meaning & use
primly
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Meanings
adverbnot comparable
In a stiff, very proper way that shows disapproval of anything rude or improper.
Grammar: Modifies verbs of speech and posture: she sat primly.
Patterns
- sit primly
- say something primly
She folded her hands primly in her lap.
"That is not appropriate," he said primly.
The librarian primly corrected our whispering.
adverbnot comparableold-fashioned
In a neat and tidy way, with careful attention to appearance.
Grammar: Slightly old-fashioned.
Patterns
- dressed primly
The little girl was dressed primly in a white collar.
The cottage garden was primly laid out in straight rows.
He parted his hair primly to one side.
Common combinations
- sit primly
- She sat primly on the edge of the sofa.
- say primly
- "I would never do such a thing," she said primly.
- purse her lips primly
- She pursed her lips primly at the joke.
- primly dressed
- The schoolteacher was primly dressed in gray.
- smile primly
- He smiled primly and said nothing.
Synonyms and how they differ
- demurely
- Demurely suggests modest, quiet shyness and is gentler, while primly adds stiff disapproval.
- stiffly
- Stiffly describes rigid manner in general, whereas primly specifically implies concern for propriety.
- properly
- Properly is neutral and means correctly, while primly has a slightly critical, fussy tone.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: primly or primarily?
primly vs primarily
Primarily means mainly, and has no connection to stiff behavior.
Practice
The aunt sat ___ in her chair, frowning at the loud jokes.
Choose one answer.
Primly suggests stiff, proper disapproval; the other adverbs describe relaxed or unruly behavior.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “primly”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.