primly

[US]/'primli/
[UK]/ˈprɪmlɪ/
Frequency: Very High

Translation

adv. in a stiffly formal manner; in a prim and proper way.

Phrases & Collocations

speak primly

primly dressed

sit primly

Example Sentences

He didn’t reply, but just smiled primly.

She sat primly in her chair, with her hands folded in her lap.

The teacher primly corrected the student's grammar mistakes.

He always dresses primly for work, with a neatly pressed suit and tie.

She primly refused the offer, stating it was against her principles.

The old lady primly sipped her tea, watching the world go by from her porch.

He primly arranged the books on the shelf in alphabetical order.

She primly declined the invitation to the party, preferring to stay home and read.

The cat groomed itself primly, licking its fur with precision.

The butler served the tea primly, ensuring each cup was placed just right.

She primly told him to mind his manners at the dinner table.

Real-world Examples

" Oh yes, " Wendy said primly [formally and properly].

Source: Peter Pan

" Lord Bolton is very fond of leeches, " Qyburn said primly.

Source: A Song of Ice and Fire: A Storm of Ice and Rain (Bilingual)

Miss Brinklow nodded primly. " I should hope so, indeed" .

Source: The Disappearing Horizon

Grayson smiled very thinly and primly.

Source: The Woman at the Bottom of the Lake (Part 2)

His jaws stopped munching and his mouth became almost primly tight.

Source: The Woman at the Bottom of the Lake (Part 1)

" From all you tell me, he seems to be a very desirable young man, " Mrs. Adams said, primly.

Source: Lonely Heart (Part 2)

" The wine waiter will be right over, " said the waitress primly and disappeared in the direction of the kitchen.

Source: 007 Series: Diamonds Are Forever (Part 2)

Mary was all ready, sitting primly on a chair, with her golden curls shining and her chinablue dress fresh and crisp.

Source: The little cabin in the big forest.

At other times she was wont to run into the kitchen without knocking; but now she knocked primly at the front door.

Source: Anne of Green Gables (Original Version)

And when Anne, dressed in her second best, as primly opened it, both little girls shook hands as gravely as if they had never met before.

Source: Anne of Green Gables (Original Version)

Popular Words

Explore frequently searched vocabulary

Download App to Unlock Full Content

Want to learn vocabulary more efficiently? Download the DictoGo app and enjoy more vocabulary memorization and review features!

Download DictoGo Now