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Pertly: meaning, definitions and examples

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pertly

 

[ ˈpɜːrtli ]

Adverb
Context #1 | Adverb

attitude expression

Pertly is an adverb that describes a manner of speaking or behaving in a lively, cheeky, or impertinently brash way. It indicates a sense of confidence that may border on sass or audacity. When someone speaks pertly, they often do so with a playful boldness that can be seen as charming or disrespectful, depending on the context. It can also imply a disregard for authority or conventional behavior, adding a layer of rebellion to the act of communication.

Synonyms

brashly, cheekily, impertinently, impudently

Examples of usage

  • She replied pertly, as if to challenge the professor.
  • He walked in and greeted everyone pertly, catching their attention.
  • The child spoke pertly, earning a stern look from his parent.

Translations

Translations of the word "pertly" in other languages:

🇵🇹 com desdém

🇮🇳 अपमानजनक ढंग से

🇩🇪 verächtlich

🇮🇩 dengan sinis

🇺🇦 зневажливо

🇵🇱 z pogardą

🇯🇵 軽蔑して

🇫🇷 avec mépris

🇪🇸 despectivamente

🇹🇷 alaycı olarak

🇰🇷 경멸적으로

🇸🇦 باحتقار

🇨🇿 s opovržením

🇸🇰 s pohŕdaním

🇨🇳 轻蔑地

🇸🇮 s posmehom

🇮🇸 með fyrirlitningu

🇰🇿 жек көріп

🇬🇪 დამცირებლად

🇦🇿 kiçilməklə

🇲🇽 despectivamente

Word origin

The word 'pertly' originates from the adjective 'pert', which dates back to the late 14th century. 'Pert' was derived from the Middle English word 'pert', meaning brave, spry, or lively. The etymology may also trace back to the Old French 'pert', which means 'brisk' or 'bold'. The development of 'pert' into 'pertly' as an adverb reflects the evolution of the word's meaning from a general sense of liveliness to a more specific characterization of audacious or cheeky behavior. The transition to the adverbial form allows for flexible usage in describing various actions and responses, particularly in social contexts where boldness or a lack of decorum is present. Over time, the connotations of 'pert' have expanded to include both positive and negative shades, depending on the intent and reception of the behavior it describes.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,944, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.