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Definition of naughtily

naughtily

/ˈnɔː.tɪ.li/
naugh · ti · ly
Adjective:naughty
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naughtily Lexical Profile

naughtily Game Scores & Validity

• adverb

1

In a mildly disobedient, mischievous, or badly behaved manner, especially as characteristic of a child.

Example

"The toddler giggled naughtily after hiding his sister's favorite toy behind the sofa."

2

In a playfully indecent, suggestive, or mildly improper manner.

Example

"She winked naughtily across the dinner table after making the double entendre."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

naturist
naturopath
naught
naughtily
naughtiness
naughty
nauru

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in Middle English from 'naughty' plus the adverbial suffix '-ly', with 'naughty' originally meaning 'having nothing' or 'needy' (from Old English 'awiht' meaning 'anything' preceded by 'ne' meaning 'not') before shifting to mean morally bad and later mildly mischievous.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Naughtily. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/naughtily
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