prissily

1 8.5

In a very proper and fussy way

adverb
/ˈprɪsɪli/

Informal

: con afectación

The way she arranged the flowers on the table was prissily meticulous.

Examples

Would I have buttoned his shorts so prissily, truncating the figure, or, to complete the picture, might I have plunged into the crinkly forest of his hair?

Fiction book (1999)
She always adjusts her dress prissily before entering the room.
He spoke prissily, correcting everyone’s grammar during the meeting.

Synonyms

primly

vsprissily

2 6.6

In a very proper and formal way that shows dislike of untidy or rude behavior

is more fussy and excessively concerned with small details

fussily

vsprissily

1 7.3

In a way that pays too much attention to small details

is more about being overly proper rather than just detail focus

stuffily

vsprissily

1 7.9

In a formal, unfriendly way or in a room without fresh air

is more about being overly proper and fussy in manner

priggishly

vsprissily

Offensive

1 9.9

In a way that shows someone thinks they are morally better than others

is more about being overly proper rather than moral judgment

Antonyms

casually

94 2.5

In a relaxed, not very careful way

carelessly

16 1.0

In a way that you do something without thinking or paying attention

How Prissy

prudishly

1 7.6

prissily

Informal

1 8.5

primly

2 6.6

properly

677 1.0

Surface Forms

prissily positive

Morphology

prissily = prissy (transparent) = prissy + ly

A standard adverb formed by adding the productive suffix '-ly' to the adjective 'prissy', so the meaning is directly predictable.

Etymology

Prissily comes from priss ('a fussy, overly proper person') plus the adverb ending -ly, so it literally means doing something in a very proper or fussy way. Think of someone who checks every napkin corner: they are acting prissily, like being 'prim' or 'prudish' about small rules.