When we say something is done beautifully, it means it's done in a way that is very attractive or pleasing. For example, a singer might perform a song beautifully, meaning their performance was excellent and enjoyable to listen to.
It can also describe something that looks very good, like a garden that is arranged beautifully. Essentially, it means something is done with skill, grace, or in a way that is aesthetically excellent. You might use it to describe a drawing, a dance, or even a well-written story.
When something is done beautifully, it means it's performed in a way that is not just good, but exceptionally attractive or pleasing. Imagine a singer hitting every note perfectly and with great emotion; you could say they sang beautifully. It also applies to things that are visually stunning, like a garden that is arranged beautifully. Essentially, it adds a layer of excellence and appeal to an action or an object's appearance.
When we describe something as being done beautifully, we're not just talking about its surface appeal; we're often highlighting an inherent grace or profound excellence in its execution or appearance. It encompasses a spectrum from aesthetic perfection, delighting the senses with its exquisite form or presentation, to the masterful demonstration of skill, where an action is performed with such precision, elegance, and effectiveness that it achieves an optimal outcome. This adverb, therefore, transcends mere attractiveness, pointing instead to a distinguished quality that evokes admiration and appreciation for its superior artistry or profound proficiency.
beautifully in 30 Seconds
- attractive manner
- skillful execution
- pleasing to senses
Difficulty Rating
The word is relatively common and its meaning is straightforward in most contexts. The length is moderate. There are no unusual characters or complex grammatical structures.
Spelling is generally phonetic, although the '-fully' ending might pose a minor challenge for some learners. The word can be used in various sentence structures without significant grammatical complexity. It is not an exceptionally long word.
Pronunciation is regular with clear syllables. The stress is on the first syllable 'beau-'. There are no unusual sound combinations or silent letters that would typically cause difficulty. The word is not particularly long.
The word is pronounced clearly and distinctly. There are no common homophones or similar-sounding words that would easily lead to confusion in spoken English. It is not a particularly rapid or mumbled word.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adverbs of manner often end in -ly and describe how an action is performed. 'Beautifully' fits this category, describing the manner in which something is done.
She sang beautifully.
Adverbs can modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. 'Beautifully' modifies verbs in most common uses, indicating how the action of the verb is carried out.
The artist painted the landscape beautifully.
Adverbs of manner typically come after the verb or after the object if there is one.
He played the piano beautifully. (after the object) / She danced beautifully. (after the verb)
When an adverb of manner like 'beautifully' is used with an adjective, it intensifies or clarifies the quality described by the adjective.
The dress was beautifully designed. (modifying the past participle 'designed' which functions adjectivally here)
Adverbs of manner can be used in comparisons using 'as...as' or 'more beautifully/most beautifully' to compare the way actions are performed.
She plays the violin as beautifully as her teacher. / He sings more beautifully than anyone else in the choir.
Examples by Level
She sings beautifully.
Ella canta hermosamente.
Adverb modifying the verb 'sings'.
The flowers are beautifully arranged.
Las flores están bellamente arregladas.
Adverb modifying the past participle 'arranged'.
He plays the piano beautifully.
Él toca el piano hermosamente.
Adverb modifying the verb 'plays'.
The artist painted the picture beautifully.
El artista pintó el cuadro bellamente.
Adverb modifying the verb 'painted'.
The dress fits her beautifully.
El vestido le queda hermosamente.
Adverb modifying the verb 'fits'.
The house was beautifully decorated for the party.
La casa estaba bellamente decorada para la fiesta.
Adverb modifying the past participle 'decorated'.
They danced beautifully together.
Ellos bailaron hermosamente juntos.
Adverb modifying the verb 'danced'.
The cake was beautifully presented.
El pastel fue bellamente presentado.
Adverb modifying the past participle 'presented'.
The artist painted the landscape beautifully, capturing every detail of the sunset.
The artist painted the landscape beautifully, capturing every detail of the sunset.
Adverb modifying the verb 'painted'.
She sang the song beautifully, moving the audience to tears with her powerful voice.
She sang the song beautifully, moving the audience to tears with her powerful voice.
Adverb modifying the verb 'sang'.
The architect designed the building beautifully, blending modern elements with traditional aesthetics.
The architect designed the building beautifully, blending modern elements with traditional aesthetics.
Adverb modifying the verb 'designed'.
The chef prepared the meal beautifully, with each dish looking like a work of art.
The chef prepared the meal beautifully, with each dish looking like a work of art.
Adverb modifying the verb 'prepared'.
The dancer performed beautifully, executing every move with precision and grace.
The dancer performed beautifully, executing every move with precision and grace.
Adverb modifying the verb 'performed'.
The garden was beautifully maintained, with colorful flowers blooming in every corner.
The garden was beautifully maintained, with colorful flowers blooming in every corner.
Adverb modifying the adjective 'maintained'.
He played the piano beautifully, his fingers gliding effortlessly across the keys.
He played the piano beautifully, his fingers gliding effortlessly across the keys.
Adverb modifying the verb 'played'.
The movie was beautifully shot, with stunning cinematography that enhanced the storytelling.
The movie was beautifully shot, with stunning cinematography that enhanced the storytelling.
Adverb modifying the verb 'shot'.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
She sings beautifully.
Она прекрасно поет.
The garden was beautifully maintained.
Сад был прекрасно ухожен.
He painted the landscape beautifully.
Он прекрасно нарисовал пейзаж.
The room was beautifully lit.
Комната была прекрасно освещена.
The chef cooked the meal beautifully.
Шеф-повар прекрасно приготовил еду.
The orchestra played the symphony beautifully.
Оркестр прекрасно исполнил симфонию.
The dress was beautifully embroidered.
Платье было красиво вышито.
The story was beautifully told.
История была прекрасно рассказана.
The building was beautifully restored.
Здание было прекрасно отреставрировано.
She danced beautifully across the stage.
Она прекрасно танцевала по сцене.
Grammar Patterns
Idioms & Expressions
"a sight for sore eyes"
Someone or something that is pleasant or welcome to see.
After a long day of hiking, that cozy cabin was a sight for sore eyes.
neutral"as pretty as a picture"
Very attractive or beautiful.
The garden, with all its blooming flowers, was as pretty as a picture.
neutral"to scrub up well"
To look good when dressed smartly or after putting in effort to one's appearance.
He usually wears casual clothes, but he really scrubs up well for special occasions.
informal"dressed to the nines"
Wearing very fashionable or elegant clothes.
For the charity gala, everyone was dressed to the nines.
neutral"easy on the eye"
Pleasing or attractive to look at.
That new painting in the living room is really easy on the eye.
informal"to make a good impression"
To produce a favorable effect on someone.
She always tries to make a good impression during job interviews.
neutral"to cut a fine figure"
To present a striking or impressive appearance.
The young prince cut a fine figure in his ceremonial uniform.
formal"to be well-turned out"
To be smartly and elegantly dressed.
The guests at the ambassador's reception were all very well-turned out.
formal"to look a million dollars"
To look exceptionally good or attractive.
With her new dress and hairstyle, she looked a million dollars.
informal"to have a knack for something"
To have a special talent or ability for doing something well.
She has a real knack for organizing parties beautifully.
neutralSentence Patterns
Subject + verb + beautifully
The artist painted the landscape beautifully.
Subject + beautifully + verb
She beautifully sang the high notes.
Beautifully + adjective
The beautifully decorated room impressed everyone.
Beautifully + past participle (as adjective)
The beautifully carved statue was a masterpiece.
Beautifully + present participle (as adjective)
The beautifully flowing river was a sight to behold.
Beautifully + adverb
She performed beautifully skillfully.
Beautifully + prepositional phrase
He described the scene beautifully in his poem.
Beautifully + clause
It's beautifully clear that they are in love.
Tips
Think of Synonyms
When you hear beautifully, what other words come to mind? Perhaps elegantly, gracefully, or charmingly. Thinking of synonyms can help you understand the nuances of its meaning.
Create Example Sentences
Try to make your own sentences using beautifully. The more you use it, the more natural it will become. For example: 'She sang beautifully,' or 'The cake was decorated beautifully.'
Visualize the Word
When you encounter beautifully, try to create a mental image. What does something that is done beautifully look like or feel like? This can help with recall.
Listen for Usage
Listen to how native English speakers use beautifully in conversations, movies, or songs. This can give you a better sense of its common applications.
Identify Word Families
Recognize that beautifully comes from the word 'beautiful.' Understanding the root word and its variations (beautiful, beauty, beautify) can strengthen your vocabulary.
Practice Speaking Aloud
Say sentences with beautifully out loud. This helps with pronunciation and reinforces the word in your memory.
Use Flashcards
Create flashcards with beautifully on one side and its definition, along with a simple example sentence, on the other.
Read English Texts
Look for beautifully in books, articles, or online content. Seeing it in different contexts will solidify your understanding.
Differentiate from 'Beautiful'
Remember that 'beautiful' is an adjective (describes a noun), while beautifully is an adverb (describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb). For example: 'a beautiful flower' vs. 'danced beautifully.'
Test Yourself 60 questions
Listen for how she sings.
Listen for how the flowers grew.
Listen for how he draws.
Read this aloud:
The music sounds beautifully.
Focus: beau-ti-ful-ly
You said:
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Read this aloud:
She dressed beautifully for the party.
Focus: dressed beau-ti-ful-ly
You said:
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Read this aloud:
The artist painted the picture beautifully.
Focus: paint-ed beau-ti-ful-ly
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Write a short sentence describing something you think is beautiful.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
The flower is beautiful.
Complete the sentence: 'She sings ______.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
She sings beautifully.
Describe how someone can do something 'beautifully' in one short sentence.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
He draws beautifully.
How does the bird sing?
Read this passage:
The bird sings beautifully. Its song is very nice. I like to listen to it every morning.
How does the bird sing?
The passage states, 'The bird sings beautifully.'
The passage states, 'The bird sings beautifully.'
What word tells us about the picture?
Read this passage:
My sister painted a picture. It looks beautifully. Everyone says it is very good.
What word tells us about the picture?
The passage says, 'It looks beautifully,' describing the picture's appearance.
The passage says, 'It looks beautifully,' describing the picture's appearance.
What did the dancer do well?
Read this passage:
The dancer moved beautifully. Her movements were very smooth and graceful. The audience clapped for her.
What did the dancer do well?
The passage states, 'The dancer moved beautifully.'
The passage states, 'The dancer moved beautifully.'
The artist painted the landscape ___.
The word 'beautifully' describes how the artist painted, showing skill and a pleasing result.
She sings ___.
The word 'beautifully' describes the quality of her singing, meaning it is very attractive to listen to.
The flowers in the garden are arranged ___.
The word 'beautifully' indicates that the flowers are arranged in a very attractive way.
If something is done 'beautifully', it means it is done poorly.
'Beautifully' means something is done in a very attractive or skilled way, not poorly.
A person can dance 'beautifully'.
'Beautifully' can describe an action performed with great skill or grace, like dancing.
The word 'beautifully' is used to describe a sad feeling.
'Beautifully' describes something attractive, pleasing, or skillful, not a sad feeling.
This sentence describes how she sings.
This sentence describes how the flowers smelled.
This sentence describes how he drew the picture.
The artist painted the landscape ___ , capturing every detail of the sunset.
The word 'beautifully' describes how the artist painted, suggesting skill and a pleasing result.
She sang the song ___ , and the audience gave her a standing ovation.
'Beautifully' implies that her singing was skillful and pleasing to hear.
The old house was renovated ___ , blending modern style with its historical charm.
'Beautifully' suggests the renovation was done with great care and resulted in an attractive outcome.
He plays the piano ___ , making even difficult pieces sound effortless.
'Beautifully' indicates a high level of skill and grace in his piano playing.
The garden was arranged ___ , with colorful flowers blooming in every corner.
'Beautifully' implies that the garden was arranged in a way that was very attractive and aesthetically pleasing.
Despite the pressure, she presented her ideas ___ and convinced everyone.
In this context, 'beautifully' refers to performing an action (presenting ideas) with great skill and effectiveness.
The orchestra played the symphony so ___ that the audience gave a standing ovation.
The context implies a performance that was very attractive or aesthetically excellent, which 'beautifully' describes.
She decorated her new apartment ___ with vibrant colors and tasteful artwork.
The sentence suggests an appealing and aesthetically excellent decoration, making 'beautifully' the best fit.
The chef plated the dessert ___ with delicate garnishes and intricate patterns.
'Delicate garnishes and intricate patterns' indicate an aesthetically pleasing presentation, which aligns with 'beautifully'.
Despite the challenging circumstances, the team managed to execute the project ___ and achieve all their goals.
The phrase 'achieve all their goals' suggests the project was performed with great skill and effectiveness, making 'beautifully' appropriate.
The dancer moved across the stage ___ with an effortless grace that captivated everyone.
'Effortless grace' clearly points to an action performed with great skill and elegance, which 'beautifully' conveys.
The author described the sunset over the ocean ___ in her novel, using vivid imagery and poetic language.
The use of 'vivid imagery and poetic language' indicates an attractive and aesthetically excellent description, matching 'beautifully'.
Focus on how the artist painted.
Listen for the quality of her singing.
How did the dancer move?
Read this aloud:
Can you describe a performance or an artwork that you thought was executed beautifully?
Focus: beau-ti-ful-ly
You said:
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Read this aloud:
In what situations do you think it's important to do something beautifully, and why?
Focus: beau-ti-ful-ly
You said:
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Read this aloud:
Imagine you are giving feedback to a colleague. How would you use the word 'beautifully' to praise their work?
Focus: beau-ti-ful-ly
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
The orchestra performed the symphony ___ leading to a standing ovation from the captivated audience.
The context implies an aesthetically excellent and skillfully executed performance, which 'beautifully' encompasses perfectly.
She articulated her complex ideas ___ ensuring that even the most intricate points were easily understood by everyone present.
Here, 'beautifully' refers to the effectiveness and clarity with which she conveyed her thoughts, making them pleasing to the intellect.
The artist captured the essence of the sunset ___ with vibrant colors and delicate brushstrokes.
'Beautifully' emphasizes the aesthetic excellence and pleasing quality of the artist's depiction.
Despite the immense pressure, the surgeon performed the delicate operation ___ saving the patient's life.
In this context, 'beautifully' describes the action performed with great skill and effectiveness under difficult circumstances.
The ancient manuscript was ___ preserved, allowing scholars to study its intricate details centuries later.
'Beautifully' here highlights the aesthetically pleasing and excellent state of preservation of the manuscript.
The architect designed the new building ___ blending modern aesthetics with historical elements of the city.
'Beautifully' refers to the aesthetically excellent and pleasing way in which the architect integrated different styles.
The renowned architect designed a structure that integrated so __________ with the surrounding landscape, it seemed to grow organically from the earth itself.
While 'gracefully,' 'elegantly,' and 'harmoniously' are close in meaning, 'beautifully' best encapsulates the comprehensive aesthetic and skilled integration described, suggesting both visual appeal and expert execution.
Despite the immense pressure, the prima ballerina executed the incredibly complex sequence of pirouettes and leaps so __________ that the audience erupted in a spontaneous ovation.
All options denote high quality of execution, but 'beautifully' specifically highlights the aesthetic and pleasing nature of the performance, which is central to ballet and elicits an emotional response from the audience.
The seasoned orator wove his intricate arguments so __________ into a cohesive narrative that even skeptics found themselves swayed by his persuasive rhetoric.
'Beautifully' in this context conveys not just skill ('artfully', 'skillfully'), but also an aesthetic quality of the presentation that makes the arguments particularly compelling and pleasing to the listener, beyond mere eloquence.
The antique tapestry, restored by an expert artisan, now depicted its mythical scene so __________ that every nuanced thread seemed to contribute to its vibrant and lifelike tableau.
While 'vividly' and 'exquisitely' are strong contenders, 'beautifully' encompasses the overall aesthetic appeal achieved through meticulous restoration, emphasizing the pleasing visual outcome.
Her improvisation on the piano was not merely technically proficient; she interpreted the melodic lines so __________ that she conveyed a profound emotional depth to her audience.
'Beautifully' emphasizes the aesthetic and pleasing quality of her interpretation that enabled the conveyance of emotional depth, going beyond just the 'expressive' or 'passionate' nature of the playing.
The renowned chef plated the intricate dessert so __________ that each component, from the delicate spun sugar to the vibrant fruit coulis, contributed to a visually stunning culinary masterpiece.
While 'artistically' and 'masterfully' relate to skill, 'beautifully' directly describes the pleasing visual outcome of the plating, which is the primary focus of the sentence's description of a 'visually stunning culinary masterpiece'.
This sentence describes the orchestra's skilled and graceful performance of the symphony.
This sentence uses 'beautifully' to describe the aesthetically pleasing way the sunset colored the clouds.
Here, 'beautifully' emphasizes the skill and effectiveness with which she conveyed her argument.
/ 60 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The adverb 'beautifully' describes something done in an attractive, pleasing, or highly skillful way.
- attractive manner
- skillful execution
- pleasing to senses
Think of Synonyms
When you hear beautifully, what other words come to mind? Perhaps elegantly, gracefully, or charmingly. Thinking of synonyms can help you understand the nuances of its meaning.
Context is Key
Pay attention to how beautifully is used in sentences. Does it describe a sight, a sound, a feeling, or an action? For example: 'The singer performed beautifully' versus 'The sunset was beautifully colored.'
Create Example Sentences
Try to make your own sentences using beautifully. The more you use it, the more natural it will become. For example: 'She sang beautifully,' or 'The cake was decorated beautifully.'
Visualize the Word
When you encounter beautifully, try to create a mental image. What does something that is done beautifully look like or feel like? This can help with recall.
