trippingly

1 8.9

In a light, quick, and graceful way, like dancing or speaking

adverb
/ˈtrɪpɪŋli/

Literature

: ligeramente

Every elf and fairy sprite hop as light as bird from brier; and this ditty, after me, sing and dance it trippingly.
trippingly on the tongue
come trippingly

Examples

Say the line trippingly.

Hail, Caesar! (2016)
I spoke my lines trippingly on the tongue.

Fiction book (2001)
Speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronounced it to you - trippingly on the tongue.

Hamlet (1948)
Robin climbed over Janet's knees and sank into his seat just as the sharp, clear voice of Hamlet said, "Speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronounced it to you, trippingly on the tongue."

Fiction book (1991)
The actor delivered his lines trippingly, captivating the audience with his energy.
As the dancers moved across the stage, they performed trippingly, showcasing their grace.
She recited the poem trippingly, each word flowing effortlessly from her lips.

Synonyms

lightsomely

vstrippingly

Archaic

9.3

In a quick, gentle way that looks graceful

has identical meaning but differs only as a separate word form

Antonyms

heavily

243 1.1

In a way that shows great weight or effort

awkwardly

38 2.7

In a clumsy or uncomfortable way, often showing nervousness around other people

How Graceful

nimbly

4 4.0

trippingly

Literature

1 8.9

lightly

86 1.0

heavily

243 1.1

Surface Forms

trippingly positive

Morphology

trippingly = tripping (semi-transparent) = trip + ing + ly

Formed regularly from 'tripping' + '-ly', but the verb 'trip' also commonly means 'to stumble', which can create ambiguity for learners.

Etymology

The word trippingly comes from the older verb trip, which once meant 'to dance' or 'move lightly'. So, trippingly means 'in a light, lively way', like moving quickly and gracefully.